Homemade Soft Pretzels
Description
This pretzel recipe makes soft and buttery homemade pretzels from scratch; the dough is shaped into knots, dipped in hot water solution, and quickly baked.
Ingredients
•
4 teaspoons active dry yeast
•
1 teaspoon white sugar
•
1 1/4 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C), or more as needed
•
5 cups all-purpose flour
•
1/2 cup white sugar
•
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
•
1 tablespoon vegetable oil, or more as needed
•
4 cups hot water
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1/2 cup baking soda
•
1/4 cup kosher salt, for topping
Directions
1
Dissolve yeast and 1 teaspoon sugar in 1 ¼ cups warm water in a medium bowl; let stand until yeast softens and begins to form a creamy foam, about 10 minutes.
2
Combine flour, ½ cup sugar, and 1 ½ teaspoons salt in a large bowl; make a well in the center. Add yeast mixture and 1 tablespoon oil to the well; mix well and form into a dough. If mixture is dry, add 1 or 2 more tablespoons water.
3
Knead dough until smooth, about 7 minutes. Lightly oil a large bowl; place dough in the oiled bowl and turn to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap; let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.
4
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Grease 2 baking sheets.
5
Pour 4 cups hot water into a large bowl; stir in baking soda until dissolved. Set aside.
6
Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface; divide into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a rope; twist into a pretzel shape.
7
Once all dough is shaped, dip each pretzel into hot water-baking soda solution; place on the prepared baking sheets. Sprinkle with kosher salt.
8
Bake in preheated oven until browned, about 8 minutes.
9
Enjoy!