Description
This homemade pretzel bread recipe yields a soft, chewy loaf with a golden, flavorful crust reminiscent of classic pretzels. Made from simple pantry staples, the dough is boiled briefly in a baking soda solution before baking to achieve its signature texture and taste. Perfect as sandwich bread or served warm with butter.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough
- 3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 packet active dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)
- 1 1/2 cups warm water
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Boiling Solution
- 8 cups water
- 1/2 cup baking soda
Topping
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 tablespoon coarse sea salt
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: In a large bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Make Dough: Add melted butter, salt, and flour gradually to the yeast mixture, stirring until a dough forms. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 8 to 10 minutes until it is smooth and elastic.
- Let Dough Rise: Place the kneaded dough into a greased bowl, cover with a cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until it has doubled in size.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Boil Baking Soda Solution: In a large pot, bring 8 cups of water mixed with 1/2 cup baking soda to a gentle boil. This step is essential for giving the bread its distinct pretzel crust.
- Shape Dough: Punch down the risen dough and shape it into a loaf or divide it into rolls as desired.
- Boil Dough: Carefully place the shaped dough pieces into the boiling baking soda water for 20 to 30 seconds each. This brief boil creates the chewy pretzel crust. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on the prepared baking sheet.
- Apply Toppings: Brush the boiled dough with the beaten egg to give a shiny crust and sprinkle coarse sea salt evenly on top.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until the bread develops a deep golden brown color.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the pretzel bread to cool slightly on a wire rack before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Skipping the boiling step will result in a softer crust but will reduce the traditional pretzel flavor.
- Try adding shredded cheese on top before baking for a delicious savory variation.
- This dough can also be shaped into buns, making excellent sandwich rolls.
