Hot Soft Pretzels: Bavarian-Style with Baking Soda Bath and Coarse Salt

Overview

This video guides viewers through making 8 Bavarian-style soft pretzels from scratch, covering dough preparation, a crucial baking soda bath, shaping, and baking. It highlights techniques for achieving a distinctive mahogany crust and pillow-soft interior, served warm.

Ingredients

• 4 cups bread flour
• 1 1/2 cups warm water
• 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 4 tablespoons melted butter
• 1/2 cup baking soda
• 9 cups water
• coarse pretzel salt

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine the warm water, brown sugar, and yeast, then let it bloom for 5 minutes until foamy.
2. Add the melted butter, flour, and salt, then knead for 8 to 10 minutes by hand or 6 minutes in a stand mixer until the dough is smooth, elastic, and pulls cleanly from the bowl.
3. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp towel, and let it rise in a warm spot for 1 hour until doubled in size.
4. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface, divide it into 8 equal pieces, and roll each piece into a 22-inch long rope with slightly thicker centers and tapered ends.
5. Shape each rope into a U, cross the ends over each other twice to create a twist, then fold the twist down onto the bottom of the U and press gently to seal.
6. Place the shaped pretzels on a parchment-lined baking sheet while preheating the oven to 450 degrees.
7. Bring 9 cups of water to a rolling boil in a wide pot, then slowly whisk in 1/2 cup baking soda.
8. One at a time, lower each pretzel into the simmering baking soda bath for 30 seconds, then use a slotted spatula to gently lift it out and return it to the baking sheet.
9. Immediately sprinkle each wet pretzel generously with coarse pretzel salt and score a shallow line across its thickest part with a sharp knife or razor blade.
10. Bake the pretzels at 450 degrees for 12 to 14 minutes until they are a deep mahogany brown, rotating the pan halfway through for even color.
11. Transfer the hot pretzels to a wire rack and let them cool for just 5 minutes before serving.

In this video

• The dough for soft pretzels should be kneaded for 8 to 10 minutes by hand or 6 minutes in a stand mixer until smooth and elastic.
• Pretzel dough needs to rise in a warm spot for 1 hour until it doubles in size and feels pillowy when poked.
• Each piece of dough should be rolled into a 22-inch long rope with slightly thicker centers and tapered ends.
• To shape a classic pretzel, form a U, cross the ends over each other twice for a twist, then fold the twist down onto the bottom of the U and press to seal.
• A baking soda bath, made by whisking 1/2 cup baking soda into 9 cups of boiling water, gives pretzels their signature mahogany crust and distinctive flavor.
• Each pretzel should be submerged in the simmering baking soda bath for exactly 30 seconds before being lifted out with a slotted spatula.
• Coarse pretzel salt should be sprinkled immediately and generously onto the wet surface of the dipped pretzels for optimal adhesion.
• Score a shallow line across the thickest part of each pretzel with a sharp knife or razor blade for a classic appearance.
• Pretzels should be baked at 450 degrees for 12 to 14 minutes until they achieve a deep mahogany brown color, rotating the pan halfway through.
• Hot pretzels are best served warm after cooling on a wire rack for just 5 minutes, often paired with spicy mustard or melted cheese sauce.

Frequently asked questions

How long does pretzel dough need to rise?

Pretzel dough requires a 1-hour rise in a warm location, covered with a damp towel, until it has doubled in size and feels pillowy.

What does a baking soda bath do for pretzels?

The alkaline baking soda bath gives the pretzels their signature mahogany crust and distinct flavor, creating an authentic Bavarian-style pretzel.

How long should you dip pretzels in a baking soda bath?

Each pretzel should be carefully lowered into the simmering baking soda bath for precisely 30 seconds to achieve the desired crust and flavor.

What temperature and how long do you bake soft pretzels?

Bake soft pretzels at 450 degrees Fahrenheit for 12 to 14 minutes, or until they reach a deep mahogany brown color, rotating the pan halfway through.

How should I serve homemade soft pretzels?

Serve homemade soft pretzels warm after cooling for 5 minutes on a wire rack. They pair excellently with spicy mustard or a rich melted cheese sauce.