Carrie Havranek's Amish-Style Soft Pretzels Recipe

Cooking Directions

• STEP 1.In a large mixing bowl, combine warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let it sit for 5 minutes until the yeast is foamy.
• STEP 2.Add flour, salt, and melted butter to the yeast mixture. Stir until a dough forms.
• STEP 3.Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
• STEP 4.Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces and roll each piece into a long rope. Shape the ropes into pretzels.
• STEP 5.In a large pot, bring water and baking soda to a boil. Boil the pretzels for 30 seconds on each side.
• STEP 6.Remove the pretzels from the boiling water and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
• STEP 7.Brush the pretzels with an egg wash and sprinkle them with coarse salt.
• STEP 8.Bake the pretzels in a preheated oven at 450°F (230°C) for 12-15 minutes until they are golden brown.
• STEP 9.Serve the pretzels warm with mustard or cheese sauce.

Cooking Tips

• Make sure the water is warm, but not too hot, to activate the yeast properly.
• Kneading the dough well is important to develop the gluten and achieve a soft texture.
• Boiling the pretzels in a baking soda solution gives them their signature chewy exterior.
• For a variation, sprinkle the pretzels with cinnamon sugar instead of coarse salt.

Storage and Serving

• Store the pretzels in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
• To reheat the pretzels, place them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-10 minutes.
• Serve the pretzels as a snack or appetizer, or enjoy them with a bowl of soup or a sandwich.