Don’t you just love homemade pretzels? Soft and chewy with the tangy crunch of salt. Make these delicious easy homemade soft pretzels in just 40 minutes! Yum!
I know there are lots of opinions on the “right” toppings for pretzels, too, but, honestly, I like them plain, right from the oven, brushed with a bit of melted butter.
So whether you like them dipped in mustard or cheese sauce or slathered in butter, the most important part, of course, is the pretzel itself. And I have a super easy and quick recipe to make delicious homemade soft pretzels from scratch in about 40 minutes, start to finish!
And if you need a particular reason to make pretzels, April 26th is National Pretzel Day!
Apparently, National Pretzel Day began in 1983, when then-Pennsylvania Rep. Robert S. Walker (R), who loved pretzels, wanted a holiday for his favorite food and declared April 26th to be National Pretzel Day. (source) I think I really like Rep. Walker! 🙂
So, back to my recipe…
A friend of mine shared this recipe with me years ago when we lived in Michigan, and it is still my family’s favorite. Thank you, Connie! The picture I have included is from when we were in Michigan and my kids helped make a batch of pretzels. Don’t judge – they were in elementary school. 🙂 I realized it was before we remodeled our kitchen. Don’t you just love that 80’s mauve counter top? Yeah, I didn’t either… Let me just say I love cropping tools for pictures! lol!
Easy homemade soft pretzels
Ingredients:
1 1/2 c. warm water
1 tbsp. yeast
2 tbsp. brown sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
4 c. all-purpose flour
kosher salt for sprinkling on top
melted butter for topping
Brine:
2 c. water
2 tbsp. baking soda
Directions:
- Add the yeast to the warm water in a small bowl or measuring cup. Stir and set aside.
- Grease a large bowl and set aside.
- Pre-heat oven to 450°.
- Mix together the flour, brown sugar and salt in a large bowl.
- Add the combined yeast and water to the dry ingredients.
- Mix all ingredients thoroughly and let rise 30 minutes in the greased bowl.
- Combine the water and baking soda in a sauce pan.
- Bring to a boil.
- While the water comes to a boil, divide dough into 8 balls on greased cookie sheet.
- Using your hands, roll each ball out into a long rope, about a foot long.
- Bend the rope into a U shape, with the 2 ends facing away from you.
- About 3-4 inches from the ends, twist the 2 pieces together.
- Hold the two ends and fold them down so they lay on the lower part of the U.
- Pinch them gently to attach them to the lower part of the U.
- Carefully dip each pretzel into the brine and then lay them onto another greased cookie sheet.
- Salt the pretzels.
- Bake at 450° for 10 minutes.
- Brush with butter and serve warm.
This recipe makes 8 large pretzels.
These pretzels are so easy to make that getting the kiddos involved is a lot of fun. But, instead of making pretzel circles like my 5-year-old did, here are some other shapes you can make, courtesy of Martha Stewart, including the good old classic twist!
So, give this recipe a try! These easy homemade soft pretzels are very simple to make and nothing tastes better than homemade, fresh from the oven goodies!
Happy baking!
~ Pam