Loaf Story

Easy Homemade Soft Pretzels

This is one of the easiest ways to prepare homemade soft pretzels for beginners, and the results are extra delicious. The dough only needs to rest briefly before shaping, and the baking soda boil gives the pretzels their traditional flavor.

12 pretzels

Dough

2cups 1 1/2 cups warm water (around 100°F/38°C)2tsp 2 and 1/4 teaspoons instant or active dry yeast1tbsp 1 Tablespoon brown sugar or granulated sugar1tbsp 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled1tsp 1 teaspoon salt4cups 3 and 3/4–4 cups all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled), plus more as needed

Baking Soda Bath

9cups 9 cups water1cup 1/2 cup baking soda

Steps

  1. Prepare the dough

    Whisk the yeast and sugar into warm water and let it sit briefly. Whisk in the melted butter and salt, then add the flour gradually until the dough comes together and is only slightly tacky.

  2. Knead the dough

    Knead until the dough is smooth, soft, and springs back slowly when pressed. Stop when it passes the windowpane test.

  3. Rest the dough

    Shape the dough into a ball, cover lightly, and let it rest until relaxed and ready to shape.

    30min

  4. Preheat the oven

    Preheat the oven and prepare baking sheets with parchment or silicone mats.

  5. Shape the pretzels

    Divide the dough into equal portions, roll each portion into a long rope, form a circle, twist the ends together, and bring them back down to make the classic pretzel shape.

  6. Baking Soda Bath

    Bring the water and baking soda to a boil. Briefly boil the shaped pretzels, then lift them out, let the excess water drip off, and place them on the prepared baking sheets.

  7. Bake

    Sprinkle with coarse salt and bake until dark golden brown.

    15min

  8. Finish and serve

    Remove from the oven and serve warm.