Soft Pretzels Recipe 🥨
Prep Time: 2 hours
Cook Time: 18 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 18 minutes
Servings: 12 medium pretzels
Description:
A delightful treat for any time of the day, these Soft Pretzels are perfect for an after-school snack that’ll have the kids eagerly waiting for the oven timer to beep. Simple to make and even more enjoyable to eat, these pretzels are sure to get the thumbs up from the whole family, just like they did from mine! 👍🥨
Ingredients:
| Quantity | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 1 cup | Warm water |
| 1 packet | Dry active yeast |
| 1 1/2 cups | All-purpose flour |
| 2 tsp | Salt |
| 1/2 cup | Additional flour (for dusting) |
| 1 1/4 cups | Water for boiling |
| 4 tsp | Baking soda |
| 2 tbsp | Coarse salt |
| 2 tbsp | Vegetable oil |
Instructions:
-
Activate the Yeast:
- In a bowl, dissolve the dry active yeast in the warm water. Let it stand for about 10 minutes until it gets frothy.
-
Mix the Dough:
- To the yeast mixture, add the vegetable oil, salt, and 1 1/2 cups of flour. Stir everything together until it forms a shaggy dough.
-
Knead the Dough:
- Gradually add the remaining flour to the dough while kneading it on a lightly floured surface. Knead for about 5 minutes until the dough becomes smooth and elastic.
-
First Rise:
- Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover it with a kitchen towel, and let it rest in a warm, draft-free place for 1 hour. The dough should double in size.
-
Shape the Pretzels:
- After the dough has risen, punch it down gently to release the air. Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces and roll each piece into a small ball. Let these balls rest for about 15 minutes.
-
Form the Pretzels:
- Roll each ball into an 18-inch long rope. To shape into pretzels, form each rope into a U-shape, then cross the ends over each other and press onto the bottom of the U to create the classic pretzel shape. Alternatively, you can cut the ropes in half to make pretzel sticks.
-
Preheat the Oven:
- While shaping the pretzels, preheat your oven to 475 degrees Fahrenheit (245 degrees Celsius).
-
Boil the Pretzels:
- In a large pot, bring the 1 1/4 cups of water to a boil. Add the baking soda to the boiling water. Boiling the pretzels in this mixture will give them that classic pretzel texture and flavor.
-
Final Rise:
- Let the shaped pretzels rest for an additional 30 minutes to rise a bit more. This step helps them achieve that fluffy interior.
-
Boil and Bake:
- Carefully add the pretzels, one or two at a time, to the boiling water. Boil each pretzel for about 1 minute, then remove them using a slotted spoon and place them on a greased baking sheet.
-
Sprinkle and Bake:
- Sprinkle the tops of the pretzels generously with coarse salt. This not only adds flavor but gives that classic pretzel appearance.
- Bake the pretzels in the preheated oven for about 12 minutes, or until they are beautifully golden brown.
-
Enjoy!:
- Once baked, let the pretzels cool slightly on a wire rack. Serve them warm with mustard, cheese sauce, or your favorite dipping accompaniment. Enjoy the soft, warm goodness!
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 126
- Fat: 2.6g
- Saturated Fat: 0.3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 1888.7mg
- Carbohydrates: 22.1g
- Fiber: 0.9g
- Sugar: 0.1g
- Protein: 3.2g
Tips and Tricks:
- For an extra burst of flavor, try sprinkling the pretzels with sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or even cinnamon sugar before baking.
- Get the kids involved in shaping the pretzels! It’s a fun activity for the whole family.
- These pretzels are best enjoyed fresh out of the oven, but you can store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for a day or two. Simply reheat in the oven for a few minutes to recapture that fresh-baked taste.
There you have it! A delightful Soft Pretzels recipe that’s not only delicious but also fun to make. Whether you’re craving a savory snack or planning a family baking session, these pretzels are sure to be a hit. 🥨✨
