Hello there, I am Maha, your recipe partner. Today I am going to share an incredible snack. Let’s talk about pretzels! These fun, twisty snacks are loved by people of all ages. You might have seen them at bakeries, fairs, or even in snack packs. They can be soft and warm or crunchy like a chip. Pretzels actually come from Germany, and they’ve been around for hundreds of years! They’re simple, tasty, and perfect when you’re craving something salty and satisfying. Pretzels are a German dish, and it is considered a savoury dish.
There are many types of pretzels people enjoy some of the most common are soft pretzels, hard pretzels, pretzel bites, stuffed pretzels, pretzel sticks, and sweet pretzels. But today, I’m showing you the most difficult one in the easiest way, so even a beginner can make a perfect pretzel at home and enjoy the amazing taste. Pretzels are a fancy yet satisfying snack that’s sure to impress.
Making the Dough:
First, let’s make the dough. Start by taking a bowl of lukewarm water as I mentioned in the ingredients. Why should the water be warm? Because if you use cold water or extra warm water, you will kill the yeast. As I am using instant yeast or active yeast, it will give the exact results we want only if we use lightly warm water.
Make the water warm until you can feel it hot but are still able to touch it this stage is perfect for the dough. Add the granulated sugar at this stage to help the yeast wake up. Now add the instant yeast into it.
You have to wait until it becomes foamy this is the most important step. If it does not convert into foam, then it’s possible that you missed something. In this case, don’t proceed you have to try again. Baking is an art, especially when you are making something traditional, so enjoy it and try to do it perfectly.
Mixing the Ingredients:
Now melt your butter to give your pretzels softness. Measure the flour in another bowl and be careful it has to be as mentioned. We will use it in sections or slowly, that’s why you should use another bowl for it. Add your salt into it and mix.
Now take your rested yeast mixture. Don’t set the dough hook yet first, we have to add almost 1 and a half cups of flour to it and mix it with a spatula. Now add the cooled melted butter and mix until smooth. Slowly add the remaining flour to it and make a dough using the hook.
Checking the Dough:
Now you can check it by the windowpane test. You have to take a piece of dough and stretch it. See if, without tearing it, you can see the light through it if yes, then it is ready.
Place the dough in a greased bowl, in a slightly warm place, and wait for 50 minutes.
Preparing the Boiling Solution:
While waiting, boil your water. Measure your baking soda it will help give the pretzels the perfect color. Add it to the water once it’s boiling.
Shaping the Pretzels:
Take the rested dough and place it on a flat surface. Now make equal sections and roll each piece with your palms. Give each one a little rest. Then, take every piece and shape it into pretzels.
Now boil each pretzel in the soda water for about 30 seconds. Don’t overdo it. Take it out and place it on your baking tray lined with butter paper.
Final Touch and Baking
Now give them an egg wash and sprinkle salt on top. You can also sprinkle any toppings you like, such as sesame seeds or herbs, but in the original version, we mostly use just salt.
Put them in the preheated oven at 400–450°F (200–230°C) and bake for 12 to 15 minutes until golden brown.
Enjoy:
And here you can enjoy your snack coming straight out of your oven fresh, soft, and golden!
Ingredients :
For the Dough:
- 1½ cups warm water (360 mL) at 110°F (43°C)
- 1 packet active dry or instant yeast (2¼ teaspoons)
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 4 cups all-purpose flour (480 g), plus more for sprinkling
For the Boiling Solution:
- 10 cups water
- ⅔ cup baking soda
For the Topping:
- 1 large egg, beaten
- Coarse sea salt (for sprinkling)
Enjoy Your Perfect Pretzels:
Now that your pretzels are golden and fresh out of the oven, it’s time to enjoy the delicious results of your hard work! There’s something so satisfying about making homemade soft pretzels they’re warm, soft, and perfectly chewy on the inside with that irresistible golden crust. Whether you’re enjoying them as a snack, sharing them with family and friends, or just treating yourself to something special, these homemade pretzels are sure to bring a smile to your face. So grab some mustard or cheese sauce, or just enjoy them plain either way, you’ve created a treat that’s worth every step!