Mall-Style Pretzel Recipe

Soft and chewy in the center and crispy, buttery and salty on the outside, these pretzels are amazing! Make one giant one or two large pretzels to enjoy with this easy recipe. This is a soft pretzel recipe for 1 - 2 people.

Prepare: 15

Bake: 12

Rest: 2

Total Time: 2 27

Servings: 2

Ingredients

Dough

1 cup (150g) flour
⅓ cup (80mL) hot water
1 tbs (15mL) oil
1 tbs (14g) brown sugar
½ tsp (1.75g) yeast
⅛ tsp (1g) salt

Water Bath

4 cups (960mL) hot water
2 tbs (36g) baking soda

Topping

½ tbs (7g) butter or margarine
⅛ tsp (1g) coarse salt

Instructions

In a bowl, combine flour, water, sugar, oil, salt and yeast. Stir until it forms a shaggy dough.
Turn out onto a clean work surface and knead 8-10 minutes or until dough is smooth and elastic. Cover and let rise 90 - 120 minutes or until dough is double in size.
Preheat oven to 425F (220C.)
In a shallow pan, add baking soda and hot tap water. Do not use boiling water and only use tap water hot enough that you can safely handle. Set aside.
Divide dough into two and cover one piece as you work. Roll each piece 36" or until pencil thin. Twist into a pretzel shape, and dip into the baking soda bath. Place onto parchment covered baking sheets, and bake 10 - 12 minutes or until golden brown.
While still warm, spread with butter or margarine and sprinkle with coarse salt.

Notes

*Temperature of water for dough should be between 110° - 120°F (43° - 48°C) for best results.

Make sure your parchment paper can be baked at 425F (220C) or lower the heat to 400F (200C) and bake an additional 3 - 5 minutes or until golden brown.

An important note on dry yeast: Instant dry and active dry yeasts are not the same. If using active dry yeast, you must activate the yeast according to the manufacturer's instructions in order for the dough to rise properly. You typically need to activate or "bloom" the yeast by adding it to warmed liquid for several minutes.

Instant dry yeast can be added to the dry ingredients and typically does not need to be activated prior to use. However, some brands of dry yeasts still require adding warm liquids, so be sure to read the label. Rapid, quick and fast acting dry yeasts will rise much faster than instant and active dry yeasts. For best results, always read and follow the instructions provided on the packet as the rising time varies widely between manufacturers.

Nutrition