A couple of weeks ago, we took A to the mall and had Wetzel’s Pretzels while we were there. It was A’s first time having big, fluffy warm pretzels and it had been years for both Ryan and I. They were so yummy. Ryan had grabbed them while A was taking a nap on me and so we split them and saved one for her when she woke up. Half were cinnamon and sugar, the other half buttery salted. Together they were surprisingly yummy. Salty sweet goodness. Days after eating them I was wanting more but I wasn’t wanting the long drive to get there, or the price tag. I was on the hunt to find a yummy, fluffy pretzel recipe. I went to King Arthur’s website because I always use their tortilla recipe so I knew they would steer me wrong, and goodness was I right. So yummy!
- 2 1/2 Cups flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 packet OR 2.25 tsp instant yeast
- 1 cup hot water
- 1 tsp white sugar
- 2 Tbsp baking soda
- 1 cup hot water
- butter for coating
- spices for topping - cinnamon and sugar, garlic, Parmesan, pepper, etc.
- Combine your 1 cup hot water with your 2.25 tsp yeast and 1 tsp white sugar. Mix well and set aside until it's nice and fluffy on the top.
- In your Kitchen Aid (or bowl) combine your 2.5 cups flour and your 1 teaspoon salt.
- Once your yeast is ready combine it with your flour mixture and mix well for about 5 minutes until the dough is very soft and smooth.
- Once the dough is mixed well, let the dough rise for about 30 minutes in a bowl covered with a warm wet towel until it's doubled.
- While your dough is rising make a nice baking soda bath using 2 tablespoons baking soda and hot water until the baking soda is dissolved. Set aside to cool until lukewarm.
- One the dough is double it's size, dump it out onto a floured surface knead well and divide into 6 sections.
- Roll your six sections into long 10-12" ropes and then cut into 1" pieces
- Soak your dough bites in the baking soda bath for about 1 minute and move to your baking pan.
- Bake your bites in a 400* oven for about 10-12 minutes. They should be lightly browned.
- While baking prepare your butter and your seasonings.
- When done baking, coat your pretzel bites in butter either by dipping them in butter or using a silicone brush to coat them. Proceed to covering them in the ingredients of your choice - cinnamon and sugar, garlic powder, salt, etc.
- Enjoy!
- Keep in a sealed container for up to two days. Best served warm.
