Shhh…I have a secret. I am a full blown bread addict. I’ve tried to kick the habit, but I just can’t imagine living without bread. I love everything about bread and all types of bread. That being said, I’m always on the search for a new recipe that will satisfy my bread cravings.
A few days ago, during one of my craving fits, I was surfing the web and came across Alton Brown’s Soft Pretzel recipe. I’ve tried other Alton Brown recipes and he’s never failed me before, so I decided to give it a shot. Guess what? I think I may have found the perfect soft pretzels recipe. It has a soft outside shell, buttery flavor, and a soft chewy inside. The only negative to this recipe is that it only makes 8 large pretzels *sad face*.
The Perfect Soft Pretzels Recipe
The Perfect Soft Pretzel
How to make the perfect soft pretzel. A slightly crisp outside and super soft inside.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups warm (110°F) water
- 1 T. sugar
- 2 tsp. kosher salt
- 1 package active dry yeast
- 4 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 2 ounces unsalted butter, melted
- Vegetable oil, for pan
- 10 cups water
- 2/3 cup baking soda
- 1 large egg yolk beaten with 1 T. water
- Pretzel salt
Instructions
- In a stand mixer bowl, combine water, sugar, and kosher salt. Mix everything together with a spoon and sprinkle the yeast on top. Let sit for 5 minutes or until it foams.
- To the mixer bowl, add flour and butter. Use the dough hook to mix the dough on low speed until well combined. Once the ingredients are combined, increase to medium speed and knead for about 5 minutes or when the dough is smooth and pulls away from the bowl.
- Remove the dough from the bowl. Clean the bowl and wipe the inside with oil. Place the dough back into the bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Place the dough in a warm place for about an hour to rise. It should double in size.
- Preheat the oven to 450°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly brush with the vegetable oil. Set aside.
- Combine egg yolk and 1 T. water in a small bowl. Whisk to combine. Set aside.
- Bring the 10 cups of water and the baking soda to a boil in a large wide pot.
- Turn the dough out onto a slightly oiled work surface. Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces. Roll out each piece into a 24-inch rope. Make a U-shape with the rope, holding the ends of the rope, cross them over each other and twist once. Then, press the ends into the bottom of the U in order to form the shape of a pretzel. Place onto the parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Gently place the pretzels into the boiling water for 30 seconds. Remove them from the water using a slotted spatula and place them back onto the baking sheet. Brush the top of each pretzel with the egg water mixture and sprinkle with the pretzel salt.
- Bake for 12 to 14 minutes or until golden brown. Place pretzels on a cooling rack for 5 minutes before serving warm or serve cold.
Recommended Products
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Crave Coarse Pretzel Salt 12 Ounce Bag - Premium All Natural Coarse Food Grade Topping for Soft Pretzels, Bagels & Breads - No Additives -
Rachael Ray Brights Hard Anodized Nonstick Pasta Pot / Stockpot / Stock Pot - 8 Quart, Gray
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KitchenAid(R) Artisan Design Series Stand Mixer, Sugar Pearl Silver
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Oven Safe, Heavy Duty Stainless Steel Baking Rack & Cooling Rack, 10 x 15 inches
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Nordic Ware Baker's Big Baking Sheet, 1-Pack, Silver
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Reynolds Kitchens Parchment Paper Roll with SmartGrid, 45 Square Feet
You had me at Alton Brown! Pinned this, Erlene. Thanks so much for sharing on Traffic Jam Weekend!
Congratulations! You’ve been featured on Wicked Awesome Wednesday! These pretzels look SO GOOD! Please feel free to stop by the website to pick up your “I’ve Been Featured” button!
Thanks so much. Headed over there 🙂
Only makes 8 large pretzels? Only? LOL You’re too funny. Although I do understand the disappointment there. These look great and my daughter loves pretzels. Pinning it for her 🙂
Thanks for sharing!!
Well, there are six of us in the house, so 8 pretzels isn’t enough 🙂 My kids will eat that in one sitting, so I have to double the recipe. I thinking about possibly making a huge batch and freezing, but haven’t tried it yet.
These are gorgeous! I have never tried making soft pretzels. YUM! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
I hope you try these. I don’t think 500+ good reviews are wrong and they are so easy to make too.
I love working with yeast, and these pretzels look FANTASTIC !!
Pinning
Thanks for pinning. These are fantastic (if I may say so) and my go to recipe.
My son loves pretzels, I can’t wait to try this.
I know he’ll love these. My kids eat these up in one day (double the recipe).
I definitely pinned these pretzels. They look amazing!
Thank you so much for linking up with Wonderful Wednesday blog hop.
Blessings,
Diane Roark
These were by far the best soft pretzel recipe I’ve tried. Thanks for pinning.
Hi! These pretzels look so delicious. They’re one of my favorite snacks so I need to try this recipe. Thanks for sharing on the Wake Up Wednesday Link Party!
-Kate @ The Organized Dream (Co-host)
Thank for stopping in Kate. Love your party and will be there again.
My weakness is soft pretzels and these look amazing! Now I know I’ll have to make them and hope I don’t eat the whole batch myself. lol Thanks for sharing on Wine’d Down Wednesday.
If soft pretzels are your weakness, you’ll probably eat the whole batch in one day…lol. Alton’s recipe is that good. Hope you try it.
I love soft pretzels! I used to make them with my aunt when I was younger. They are so much fun to make at home. Thanks for linking up with Hump Day Happenings.
Love your link party. We’re carb addicts here, so pretzels are a big treat for the kids. Thanks for coming by.
I am a bread addict also. thanks for sharing. yummy.
Hi Renee. Hope you try this. It really is the best soft pretzel recipe I’ve tried.
Despite my honest effort to reduce my carbs, I can’t imagine my life without a soft pretzle once in a while. These look so soft and fluffy. I just received a stand mixer so I am going to have to make this my go-to use recipe! Pinned! Stopping by from Tasty Tuesdays party!
You’ll love this recipe. I don’t have a stand mixer and just used my muscles and these still came out fantastic. Thanks for stopping by.
Wow, these look amazing! I am a huge fan of soft pretzels I will have to give these a try. Pinned. Thanks for hosting!
Let me know how you like them 🙂 They are so yummy! Hint: double the recipe.
I am completely obsessed with pretzels!!
I’m obsessed with any bread…lol. Thanks for stopping by.
I am completely obsessed with pretzels!!