Get ready to transform your kitchen into a pretzel paradise with these mouthwatering Twist Soft Baked Pretzels that will make your taste buds dance! Imagine pulling golden-brown, perfectly twisted pretzels out of the oven, their aroma filling your home with an irresistible warmth that promises bakery-quality goodness. Whether you're a baking novice or a seasoned pro, this recipe will have you creating restaurant-worthy pretzels that are crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and guaranteed to impress everyone who takes a bite!
Prep Time: 30 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 45 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 8 pretzels
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups warm water
- 1 packet active dry yeast
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup baking soda
- Coarse sea salt for sprinkling
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups of warm water (about 110°F) and 1 packet of active dry yeast. Stir gently and let it sit for about 5 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy, indicating that the yeast is activated.
- Add 1/4 cup of sugar to the yeast mixture and stir until dissolved. Gradually incorporate 4 cups of all-purpose flour into the mixture, mixing with a wooden spoon or your hands until a dough begins to form.
- Once the dough has come together, transfer it to a lightly floured surface. Knead the dough for about 5-7 minutes until it is smooth and elastic. If the dough is too sticky, sprinkle a little more flour as needed.
- Place the kneaded dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm area for about 20 minutes, or until it has doubled in size.
- While the dough is rising, preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release any air bubbles. Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a long rope, about 24 inches in length. Shape each rope into a pretzel by forming a U shape, crossing the ends over each other, and twisting them before pressing the ends down to seal.
- In a large pot, bring 8 cups of water to a boil and add 1/4 cup of baking soda carefully (the mixture will bubble up). Once boiling, gently drop each pretzel into the water, one at a time, for about 30 seconds. This step gives the pretzels their characteristic chewy texture.
- Using a slotted spoon, remove the pretzels from the water and place them onto the prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle coarse sea salt generously over the top of each pretzel.
- Bake the pretzels in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until they are golden brown. Keep an eye on them to ensure they don’t over-bake.
- Once baked, remove the pretzels from the oven and let them cool slightly on a wire rack. Serve warm and enjoy your delicious twist soft baked pretzels!
Tips
- Water Temperature Matters: Ensure your water is precisely warm (around 110°F) when activating the yeast. Too hot, and you'll kill the yeast; too cold, and it won't activate properly.
- Kneading Technique: Don't rush the kneading process. A full 5-7 minutes helps develop the gluten, giving your pretzels that perfect chewy texture.
- Rising Environment: Find a warm, draft-free spot for your dough to rise. A slightly warm oven (turned off) or near a sunny window works great.
- Baking Soda Bath Secret: The baking soda water bath is crucial! It gives pretzels their distinctive brown crust and chewy exterior. Don't skip this step!
- Salt Matters: Use coarse sea salt for that classic pretzel look and flavor. Sprinkle generously right after the baking soda bath.
- Watch Carefully While Baking: Ovens can vary, so keep an eye on your pretzels during the last few minutes to prevent over-browning.Pro Tip: These pretzels are best enjoyed fresh and warm, but you can store them in an airtight container for 2-3 days and reheat in the oven for that just-baked taste!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 250kcal
Carbohydrates: 48g
Protein: 6g
Fat: 2g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 0mg
