Soft Pretzels always makes me think I am having fun. I think these delicious little savory breads will get you in a celebratory mood too.
For some reason soft pretzels always makes me think I am having fun. Maybe because I first discovered them at fairs and movie theaters. Then they showed up in malls and to me it is always a good time shopping. For quite a few years I only dreamt that I could make them at home even though I was already a bread maker. They were allusive to me. Finally, I pulled up my boot straps and set off for the kitchen. I took out the yeast and just stared and then took out the flour and stared some more. Guess I forgot to roll up my sleeves. An attempt came to mind so I began. Man, the little suckers weren’t hard at all. I am sure I will get better at making the shape but not to bad for a first try. The little tips get browner so, next time, I will push them down a little bit more.
Soft Pretzels
Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 12
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 teaspoons yeast
- 1 1/2 cups warm water for yeast - this amount of water has been adjusted, 100-110°
- 4 1/4 cups whole wheat flour
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 cup almond milk, for brushing the tops of the prepared pretzels before they bake
- coarse salt for sprinkling on top of the pretzels
Instructions
- Have parchment paper on 2 cookie (baking) sheets.
- Dissolve the yeast in the 1 cup of warm water. Let set for 5 minutes.
- Add the Tablespoon salt and teaspoon sugar and stir.
- Add this mixture to flour and blend. It will be sticky.
- Turn out the dough on a floured surface.
- Knead until smooth, about 5 to 10 times.
- Divide dough in half, then half again. You will have 4 balls.
- Set all of these 4 balls back in a bowl and cover with a moist paper towel (touching the balls) to help keep from them from drying out.
- Take out one ball and recover the rest.
- Divide one ball into thirds.
- So eventually, each of the 4 balls will be divided into thirds which will give you 12 balls and will become 12 pretzels.
- Roll out each ball into a rope about 1" to 1-1/2" in diameter and 14" to 16" long. Mine were 14" and they are a little fat. I think I will try 16" next time.
- Shape into a pretzel shapes right on the parchment paper in the cookie sheet.
- Continue with each ball as in the directions above until all the pretzels shapes are done.
- Brush the pretzels with the soy milk a couple at a time and then sprinkle the coarse salt on top while the pretzels are still moist.
- Bake at 425° for 12 to 15 minutes.
- Remove to a wire rack to cool.
Recipe Notes
TO FREEZE:
After the pretzels have cooled you may freeze them in any of the methods shown in my article Preparing Food for the Freezer.
They defrost quickly so it really doesn't take any planning. The microwave will also zap them in 20 seconds.
Lisa says
Hi I’m just wondering do I use half package of yeast instead cause I only do half batch?
Ginny McMeans says
Yes, everything would be halved.
Katie says
Hi, I was just wondering how much ‘1 envelope yeast’ is? Going to make these for my daughter’s kinder lunch 🙂
Ginny McMeans says
Sorry about that! I just changed it in the description too. It is 2-1/4 teaspoons. I think your daughter will love them. 🙂
Jennifer says
Do you think another flour would work? I have Silvia’s gluten free and many others. I have Hashimotos, but really want to make these. Ever try another flour?
Ginny McMeans says
I am not sure what other flour you could use and make it work. I know the liquid is absorbed differently with different flours so it would really take some measuring and testing. Sorry I could not be more help in this area.