My sisters know exactly where this is coming from.
It’s a bit of an obsession I have. An obsession I indulge in…. exactly never.
Not because I don’t want to, or I have killer willpower, but because I have no choice.
We used to have a soft pretzel shop in the mall we usually shop in, and every time I was there I’d buy a salted pretzel with warm caramel sauce. The combination is one of the most incredible I’ve ever put in my mouth. Please tell me you’ve had a pretzel with caramel sauce.
But then the shop shut down, which was okay for a while, because there is a Wetzel’s Pretzels in the movie theatre just across the street from said mall.
Except 2 years and 2 months ago, we had a beautiful baby girl. And you can guess how many movies I’ve been to in the last 2 years.
Your guess is as good as mine, as I can’t even remember. One?
Would you believe I didn’t even order my pretzel.
So, when we were traveling to Florida on holidays this summer, we had a layover in the Chicago airport. There was a shop selling pretzels and caramel sauce.
So I thought to myself, since we’d just had lunch, “I’ll swing by and pick one up just before we board.”
Except that they boarded the airport one whole hour before take-off, because it was overbooked and I guess they wanted to figure out how many people they could squeeze on.
“That’s fine,” I told myself, “I’ll get one on our flight back when we stop at Chicago again.”
The day before we left to come back my sisters revealed to me that our layover was actually in Toronto on the way back, and not Chicago. There were not soft pretzels in Toronto. They were a little worried about how I was going to take the news.
So I knew when I got home that I had to make soft pretzels. I’ve had recipes pinned to my Breads and Muffins board for a long time now, but I was always intimidated.
There was no stopping me this time.
And you know what? They’re not actually hard! In fact, they’re totally easy, and they’re incredible, and they taste just like the soft pretzels from the mall.
The dough comes out soft and a little sticky, but you want it that way. If you add too much flour, the pretzels will be difficult to roll.
And please serve them salted with caramel sauce. You won’t regret it.
Homemade Soft Pretzels
written by Ashley Fehr
Ingredients
- 1¼ cups warm water
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1½ teaspoon instant yeast
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 liters of water for boiling
- ½ cup baking soda
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
- salt for sprinkling
Instructions
- Combine warm water, brown sugar and yeast in a glass measuring cup. Let sit for 5 to 10 minutes until frothy (this ensures the yeast is active).
- Whisk in the ½ teaspoon salt and 1 cup of flour. In a stand mixer with a dough hook or by hand, gradually add in the remaining flour, just enough so that a tacky but not sticky dough forms. If you add all of the flour and it's still sticky, work in just a tiny bit more flour.
- Drizzle some oil into the bowl and turn the dough ball to coat. Cover with plastic wrap or a thick towel and allow to rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled.
- Preheat the oven to 425℉.
- Punch dough down and divide into 8 pieces to make medium-sized pretzels, or tear off and roll small pieces into balls for pretzel bites. Roll dough pieces into a long rope and twist to form a pretzel shape (see photos for assistance).
- In a large pot, bring water and baking soda to a boil. Boil pretzels and pretzel bites for 15-30 seconds and remove with a slotted spoon onto paper towel.
- Place onto greased baking sheets and bake for 10-16 minutes until golden brown (spray with a bit of oil spray if not browning on top).
- Brush with melted butter and sprinkle with salt. Serve warm with caramel sauce, mustard or other sauces, or enjoy plain!
Notes
- Brown sugar: you can swap for granulated sugar or honey if preferred.
- Yeast: you can swap for active dry yeast, the dough will just take longer to rise.
- Flour: you can swap half of the flour for whole wheat flour for higher fiber.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Sue says
A flour question! The recipe asks for all-purpose flour. Is this the flour that one would use for cakes, pastry etc, or a ‘strong’ bread flour one would use for bread-making? (Sorry if it’s self-evident to US cooks but I’m a Brit in France.)
Ashley says
If your options are bread flour or cake/pastry flour, I would go with bread flour because it will give the pretzels a chewier texture. Here, all-purpose is something in between. It’s the “everything” flour.
kristi@ishouldbemoppingthefloor says
Ohhh these look like trouble!! (The best kind, lol!!) These look delish, Ashley!
Ashley says
Haha, I had to stick the extras in the freezer! Buttery dough and caramel is too hard to resist 🙂
Margaret Anne @ Natural Chow says
Gosh…this photography is stunning! I love making soft pretzels at home, which reminds me—I haven’t indulged in them for quite some time. Well, better late than never! 🙂
Ashley says
Thank you so much Margaret! It must be about time 🙂
Jess @ On Sugar Mountain says
Oh man what a journey you have made to bring pretzels back into your life! I would’ve been so sad to be so close to them in that airport and yet so far away. But these look absolutely gorgeous and fluffy and I love that I can make them from the comfort of my own kitchen. 😀
Ashley says
It was pretty sad! But I mean, there’s always the movie theatre — it would be a good reason to get out more! Lol.
Rachel @ Bakerita says
I looove soft pretzels, and yours look so delicious!! Pinned 🙂
Ashley says
Thanks Rachel! It was my first time, but definitely won’t be the last!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
Soft pretzels are the BEST things ever. These look perfect!
Ashley says
Thanks Dorothy! I’m a little obsessed 🙂
Serene @ House of Yumm says
I always have to get a big soft pretzel and that ooey gooey nacho cheese to dip in whenever I have the opportunity! That is comfort food at it’s best for me! I can’t wait to make these and enjoy them at home now 🙂
Ashley says
I really can’t believe how easy they were — I was so intimidated until now!
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
i am a massive sucker for home made pretzels.. especially when they are hot out of the oven! inspired now to create my own batch, thanks for the recipe!
Shaina says
Soft pretzels are one of my guilty pleasures, especially if I’m at some kind of sporting event. But homemade?! Ahh, even better!
Ashley says
It was easy enough to restrain myself before I tried making them…. but now I know how easy they are! Trouble!
Ashley | Spoonful of Flavor says
Homemade soft pretzels are seriously one of the best things ever! The only problem is that I would probably eat the entire batch myself!
Ashley says
Of definitely! I had to freeze some, and I just reheated in the oven for 5 minutes at 400. Nearly as good as fresh 🙂
Tina @ Tina's Chic Corner says
I’ve been dying to make soft pretzels! And I’m totally digging that salted caramel too. Yum. 🙂
Ashley says
With caramel is the only way to go!
Julianne says
I didn’t see a recipe for the Salted Caramel Sauce..
Ashley says
I haven’t posted one — still perfecting my recipe 🙂 I’m sure there are tons of great recipes out there!
Melanie @ Carmel Moments says
I’m always a sucker for a soft pretzel. Look delish!
Ashley says
Thanks Melanie! It’s a bit of an obsession 🙂
MIchele @ Alwayzbakin says
LOVE soft pretzels! I never think of making them, but now I will. My favorite ones are the cinnamon sugar from Auntie Ann’s. Yum! Thanks for sharing!!
Sandy says
Try the almond crunch at Annie Ann’s with the caramel dip, or cream cheese so good, I worked there for many years. Try using a Teflon sheet to bake on they won’t stick to it.
Ashley says
Definitely no issues with sticking! And I’ve never even heard of Annie Ann’s — but almond crunch with caramel dip sounds out of this world!
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
i am a sucker for warm home made pretzels.. definitely going to create my own batch now. thanks for the inspiration!
Ashley says
Anytime 🙂 This was my first time making them, but it’ll have to be a regular now!
Alexis AKA MOM says
These would be a huge hit with my boys! Thanks for the recipe 🙂
Ashley says
Anytime Alexis!
Shashi @ RunninSrilankan says
I adore the salty pretzels that the Aunt Annies at the mall near me has, but I’ve never tried them with caramel sauce! These sound amazing by the way!!
Shashi @ RunninSrilankan says
I adore the salty pretzels that the Aunt Annies at the mall near me has, but I’ve never tried them with caramel sauce! These sound amazing by the way!
Ashley says
Oh you need to try with caramel Shashi! It’s unreal!
jessica matier (@AW2SL) says
What a simple recipe, my mouth is watering… I would love it if you could come share this awesome snack at Pin Your Friday Favorite. The party goes live tonight @10pm EST.
Ashley says
Thanks! I’ll have to check it out!
Anna @ One Prickly Pear says
Yum – I want one!. Sorry, make that 2 or 3 or 10. These pretzels look delicious. I can almost smell them from here. I’ve never had pretzels with caramel sauce. It sounds like a match made in heaven, though. I’ll have to give these a try soon 🙂
Ashley says
You definitely have to try it! It’s my favorite way to eat them. Ok… the only way!
Aimee @ Like mother like daughter says
Mmm, these pretzels look so good! I’ve made pretzel wrapped brats, but never tried just pretzels. Dipped in cheese sauce or rolled in cinnamon sugar. Yum!!
Ashley says
Cinnamon and sugar would be amazing too! For me, it’s just got to be caramel sauce! That sweet and salty combination….so good!