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In case your concept of the proper Smooth Pretzel features a chewy golden crust with that signature bakery-style twist, you’re in the appropriate place. This recipe nails that stability of sentimental, pillowy insides and a salty, bronzed exterior with out sophisticated steps or fancy substances. You’ll love how easy the dough is to work with (no tantrums), and the tip consequence? Straight-up pretzel store high quality… with out the mall.
Ingredient Notes + Variations
This tender pretzel dough is constructed on pantry fundamentals, however a number of good ingredient selections make a distinction. You’ll get construction from bread flour, richness from butter, and a gorgeous golden colour due to the baking soda bathtub and egg wash.
Coarse salt – Elective, however extremely inspired for that basic pretzel look and chew. If you wish to get actual fancy, go for precise pretzel salt.
Bread flour – Greater protein content material means chewier pretzels with construction. Should you solely have all-purpose flour, the feel may be a bit softer or much less chewy, however nothing deal-breaking.
The best way to Make Smooth Pretzels
You’re going to be shocked at how simple these are. The dough comes collectively in a stand mixer, and shaping pretzels is much less fussy than it seems. Should you’re extra of a visible particular person, watch the video within the recipe card under. The baking soda bathtub is fast, the bake is quick, and the tip result’s completely price it.
For full recipe particulars, together with substances wanted and measurements, see the printable recipe card down under.
Step 1: Combine the Dough + Let it Rise
Step 2: Form into Pretzels
The best way to form into Pretzels: Lay the rope in your work floor and kind it into a large “U” form, with the ends pointing upward. Take the 2 ends and cross them over one another as soon as, then once more, making a twist within the center. Fold the twisted ends down towards the underside of the “U,” urgent them gently onto the curved base to kind the basic pretzel form. The dough ought to stick with itself, however you may dab a little bit water if wanted to assist it keep in place.
Step 3: Second Rise + Prep Baking Soda Bathtub
Step 4: Dip in Baking Soda Bathtub
dip each side into boiling baking soda water for five seconds or much less
permit extra water to drip off earlier than putting on baking sheet
Enjoyable reality: The baking soda bathtub works greatest when it’s sizzling. Boiling helps activate the alkaline response that offers pretzel buns their deep colour and chewy crust.Â
Step 5: Brush with Egg Wash + Salt
whip egg + water collectively
brush on egg wash + sprinkle with sea salt
Professional Tip: I used a rough sea salt, however they really make fancy pretzel sea salt if you wish to be further. 🙂Â
Step 6: Bake + Butter
bake till golden brown + cooked by
brush cooked tops with melted butter
Step 7: Cool + Serve
cool on wire rack
serve with dipping sauce
Recipe Ideas for Success
- If the dough feels too sticky, add flour one tablespoon at a time.
- Don’t skip the second rise. It’s what offers that gentle, fluffy texture.
- Be sure your baking soda water is gently boiling, not aggressively effervescent.
- Use a slotted spoon or spider to keep away from soggy pretzels.
- Brush with butter after baking for that mall-style taste.
What to Serve with Smooth Pretzels
Smooth pretzels are tremendous versatile, which suggests you’ve obtained choices. Preserve issues basic with a tacky dip or mustard, or go cozy with soup or chili. You possibly can even swing candy with a drizzle of fudge sauce. Listed below are a number of favourite pairings that hit good.
This recipe retains it easy, delivers constant outcomes, and actually simply tastes higher than something from the freezer aisle. Printable recipe card may be discovered subsequent.
Smooth Pretzel Recipe
These Home made Smooth Pretzels are golden, chewy, and simply the correct amount of salty. They’re surprisingly simple to make and style similar to those from the mall—solely higher contemporary out of your oven.
Substances Â
- 1 1/2 cups entire milk heat (107-111°F)
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 1/4 teaspoons prompt yeast 1/4 oz packet
- 1/4 cup butter melted and cooled
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 3 1/2 cups bread flour Plus as much as 1/2 cup extra if wanted, I solely wanted 3 1/2 cups
for baking soda water bath-
DirectionsÂ
Within the bowl of a stand mixer, mix heat milk, brown sugar and yeast. Let sit for five minutes till yeast proofs (will get all bubbly).
Add 2 cups of flour into the bowl on high of the proofed yeast combination. Stir on low utilizing the dough hook. As soon as the flour has largely integrated, stir in melted butter and salt.
With stand mixer on, proceed including in flour, little by little, till dough is cheesy however will not stick with your palms and the bowl is usually clear (about 5-7 minutes). I used precisely 3 1/2 cups, however your dough might take much less or extra flour. The dough is prepared while you press it gently together with your finger and it springs again.
Take away dough and place in a clear nicely oiled bowl and canopy with a tea towel or plastic wrap. Place in a heat space of the home and permit to rise for a minimum of one hour. Your oven with simply the oven gentle on is an ideal spot!
Put together a big baking sheet with parchment paper sprayed with cooking spray or oil. Put aside.
As soon as the dough has doubled in dimension, dump onto a flippantly floured floor with out punching it down. We would like it to remain fluffy.
Utilizing a pizza cutter or pastry cutter, divide dough into 8 equal items.
Form each bit of dough right into a rope about 2 ft in size, utilizing the palms of your palms. Gently roll the dough outward from the middle to stretch the dough evenly. The rope needs to be barely thicker within the heart and thinner on the ends for a standard look.
Then form into pretzels. This is how: Lay the rope in your work floor and kind it into a large “U” form, with the ends pointing upward. Take the 2 ends and cross them over one another as soon as, then once more, making a twist within the center.
Fold the twisted ends down towards the underside of the “U,” urgent them gently onto the curved base to kind the basic pretzel form. The dough ought to stick with itself, however you may dab a little bit water if wanted to assist it keep in place.
Second rise: Cowl with a tea towel or plastic wrap. Place in a heat space of the home and permit to rise for an additional 30-60 minutes till doubled in dimension.
In the meantime, place the water and baking soda in a medium pot over excessive warmth. Stir to mix nicely and convey to a mild boil.
Preheat oven to 400° F.
As soon as pretzels have doubled in dimension, dip each side into the gently boiling baking soda water bathtub, not than 5 seconds per facet. Take away with a big slotted spoon or spider, permitting extra water to drip off earlier than putting again on baking sheet.
In a small bowl whisk egg and splash of water collectively to create an egg wash. Brush tops with egg wash and sprinkle with coarse salt.
Bake at 400° F for 10-13 minutes or till golden brown and cooked by.
Elective: Brush with melted butter after eradicating from oven
Let pretzels cool barely on a wire rack. Serve heat with beer cheese and spicy mustard or make them a candy deal with with caramel or chocolate dipping sauce.
Retailer in an hermetic container as soon as cooled.
Notes
Diet
Energy: 307kcalCarbohydrates: 46gProtein: 10gFats: 9gSaturated Fats: 5gPolyunsaturated Fats: 1gMonounsaturated Fats: 2gTrans Fats: 0.2gLdl cholesterol: 44mgSodium: 1543mgPotassium: 170mgFiber: 2gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 286IUVitamin C: 0.01mgCalcium: 77mgIron: 1mg
Extra Pretzel Recipes to Attempt!
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