How to make Homemade Soft Pretzels Recipe

Combine 2 1/4 teaspoons dry active yeast, 1 teaspoon salt, 2 tablespoons melted butter, 1/4 cup powdered milk, and 1 tablespoon granulated sugar in a bowl.

Whisk 3 1/2 cups bread flour to loosen it up, then add the combined ingredients.

Create a well in the dry ingredients and add 1 1/2 cups room temperature water.

Stir the ingredients together to start forming gluten before adding the melted butter.

Incorporate the rest of the water to bring the dough together and knead for about 5 minutes on a clean working surface.

Grease a proofing bowl with butter, place the dough inside, cover with saran wrap and a damp kitchen cloth, and let it sit for about 30 minutes until doubled in size.

Prepare toppings by whisking together 1/4 cup granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder, and set aside kosher salt and crushed pecans.

After 30 minutes, gently pour the dough onto a clean working surface and let it rest for about a minute.

Boil water in a pot and add 1/4 cup baking soda to create a solution, whisking until combined.

Flatten the dough into a horizontal shape and cut it into long rope-like pieces using a pizza cutter.

Roll each piece slightly to even it out, then form into a pretzel shape by creating a horseshoe and criss-crossing the ends before placing them on the base of the dough.

Dip each formed pretzel into the baking soda and hot water solution for about 3 seconds, using spatulas to submerge them, then place on a sheet pan.

Prepare an egg wash by whisking 1 egg with 1 tablespoon water, then coat the pretzels with the egg wash.

Sprinkle kosher salt and crushed pecans onto the pretzels before baking.

Bake the pretzels in a preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 to 20 minutes, checking at the 15-minute mark for desired color.

For the remaining dough, roll into long ropes and cut into miniature bites, which will be coated in cinnamon sugar after baking.

After 15 minutes, check the pretzels; if they need more browning, leave them in for an additional 5 minutes.

Melt some butter and use the clarified part to brush over the baked pretzels for extra shine.

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

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