Just like Auntie Anne's Soft Pretzels

My boyfriend LOVES Auntie Anne's soft pretzels. Whenever we go to the mall he always has to stop and get at least one. He requested I learn how to make them. So after browsing the Internet for a good recipe, and doing some fine tuning of my own, I have come up with the perfect home made pretzel recipe!

This recipe makes about 12 pretzels and is ready in about 1 1/2 hours. 

Ingredients:

-1 1/2 cups warm water

-1 1/8 teaspoons active dry yeast

-3 tablespoons brown sugar

-1 1/8 teaspoons salt

-1 cup bread flour

-3 cups all-purpose flour

-2 cups warm water

-2 tablespoons baking soda

-Course salt to taste

-4 tablespoons melted butter

 Directions:

1. In a mixing bowl add 1 1/2 cups warm water, stir in yeast to dissolve. 

2. Add in brown sugar and salt. Stir to dissolve. 

3. Add in the bread and all-purpose flour. On a floured surface, knead the dough until smooth.

4. Place dough in a large bowl, cover with plastic wrap (or a damp cloth) and let the dough rise for at least 30 minutes. 

5. While the dough is rising, prepare a baking soda water bath. Dissolve 2 tablespoons of baking soda in 2 cups of warm water. Stir often. 

6. After dough has risen, pinch off bits of dough and roll into long sticks. I just leave mine as sticks, it is easier and takes less time to shape. :)

7. Dip the formed pretzels in the baking soda solution. Place on greased baking sheet.

8. Recover the pretzels with plastic wrap (or a damp cloth) and let them rise for another 30 minutes. 

9. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. 

10. Cook pretzels for about 8 minutes or until golden brown. 

11. To finish, brush cooked pretzels with melted butter and sprinkle with course salt. I sometimes sprinkle cinnamon sugar on top for a yummy treat! 

If you have leftover pretzels store them in an airtight container or plastic bag! We leave ours on the counter, we find putting them in the fridge makes them a little soggy. 

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do! They make a great afternoon snack, and would be really fun to make with little kids! Next time I make them, I will post a picture so you can see the finished results! :)