Easiest Soft Pretzels Two Ways Recipes

EASIEST SOFT PRETZELS, TWO WAYS

Steps:

• Prep: Thaw desired number of frozen bread loaves in a ziploc bag in the fridge overnight. Let the bag of thawed bread sit out at room temp for 1-2 hours before baking. I recommend making your dips first - these pretzels are just so good when they're hot and fresh out of the oven - you won't want to let them sit and get cold while you're making the dips.
• Make the Cheese Dip: Get all ingredients out for this dip before you begin, to avoid having to stop cooking the sauce and possibly letting it burn. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Whisk in the flour, and cook, whisking constantly for 2 minutes. Slowly pour in the milk, whisking constantly. Continue whisking constantly and cook the mixture for 3-4 minutes, until thickened. At first, it will appear as the sauce isn't thickening at all, but go the full 3-4 minutes and it will! It should be thick but still pourable - add the cheese at this point, in small handfuls, whisking well until all cheese is mixed in before adding more. This will help prevent a grainy, clumpy cheese sauce. I started with the parm, then added the cheddar. Add a little more or less cheese to taste. Add salt + pepper to taste. Cheese dip can be reheated in a small saucepan over medium heat or in the microwave, in 30 second intervals, stirring between each.
• Make the Cream Cheese Dip: Beat together the softened butter and softened cream cheese in a medium mixing bowl until well creamed. Sift in the powdered sugar and mix until combined. Add the vanilla and milk and mix until everything is well-combined and creamy. Add a little more milk or powdered sugar to thicken or thin the dip, as desired.
• Make the pretzels: Cut each loaf of dough into 6 equal sections, moving across the length of the dough. Roll each piece of dough with your hands, moving outward, until you have a rope 20-24 inches long. Pick up each end, twist them over each other twice and fold down to form the pretzel shape.Add 9 cups of water and 1/2 cup of baking soda to a large pot, and bring to a boil. While it's coming to a boil, line two large baking sheets with parchment paper and set nearby. Drop 2 pretzels at a time into the boiling solution and remove after 20-30 seconds with a slotted spoon/spatula, shaking excess liquid off. Lay each pretzel on the parchment paper, fitting 6 on each pan. Beat egg + milk together for your egg wash, and brush each pretzel with the egg wash. Sprinkle the savory pretzels with coarse sea salt. Add nothing additional to the sweet pretzels.
• Bake: Bake at 400 degrees F for 12-15 minutes - pretzels will be golden brown and the outsides won't feel super soft to the touch.
• Finish the Sweet Pretzels: Melt the butter in a medium shallow bowl, and whisk together the cinnamon and sugar in another medium shallow bowl. Let pretzels cool just enough so you don't burn your hands - do this while they're still hot. Dip each one into the melted butter, coating both sides, and repeat with the cinnamon sugar mixture.
• Serve + Store: Serve immediately with the dips! These are best when fresh out of the oven. Store leftover dip, covered, in the fridge for up to 4 days. Store leftover pretzels in an airtight container at room temp for 2-3 days.

SOFT HOMEMADE PRETZELS

Steps:

• Stir yeast into 1 cup warm water in a large bowl; beat in flour, sugar, shortening, and salt to make a dough. Turn dough onto a floured surface and knead for 5 minutes.
• Place dough into a greased bowl and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. Punch down dough and divide into 12 equal-size pieces. Roll each piece into a rope 18 to 20 inches long.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease a baking sheet.
• Shape each rope of dough into a pretzel on the prepared baking sheet; let pretzels rest for 5 minutes. Beat egg yolk with 1 tablespoon water in a small bowl and brush yolk mixture over each pretzel; sprinkle each with coarse salt.
• Bake in the preheated oven until pretzels are golden brown, about 15 minutes.

EASY SOFT PRETZELS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
• Grease two large baking sheets(or cover with parchment paper).
• In a large bowl,sprinkle the yeast over the warm water(water should be very warm to touch).;stir with a rubber spatula until well blended and the yeast is dissolved.
• With a wooden spoon, gradually stir in sugar, salt and 3 1/2 cups of flour until a soft and slightly sticky dough forms.
• Turn dough onto a well-floured board.To knead fold the dough towards you;with the heels of your hands push the dough away with short rocking motions.Rotate the dough a quarter turn and repeat motion.Continue kneading and turning for about 5-7 minutes,adding another 1/2 cup or more of flour as necessary,until the dough is smooth and elastic.The dough should not stick to your hands or the board.
• Cut the dough in half and then cut each half into six equal-sized pieces.With floured hands,roll one piece of dough between the palms of your hands to form a dough rope.Continue rolling and stretching the dough rope until it is 15 inches long.Place the rope on a baking sheet.Cross the left side of the rope over to the middle to create a loop.Then fold the right side of the rope over the left to create a pretzel shape.
• Continue with the remaining dough,placing the pretzels three inches apart on the baking sheet.Enlarge holes in pretzels by inserting thumb and index fingers into holes.This will prevent them from completely closing during baking.In a small bowl mix together egg and water,brush on pretzels.Sprinkle with salt.
• Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown.

EASY SOFT PRETZEL

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine flour, yeast, salt, water and butter; beat until smooth (mixture will be slightly sticky). Sprinkle with 1-2 tablespoons water if dough is dry. Cover and let rest in a warm place 30 minutes., Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly greased surface; divide into six pieces. Roll each piece into a 24-in. rope. For topping, combine water, sugar and baking soda in a shallow bowl. Shape each rope into a pretzel and dip into the baking solution. Sprinkle pretzels with coarse salt or coarse sugar., Place on parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake at 400° for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown. Brush with melted butter. Dip in cinnamon-sugar, if desired. Serve warm.,