Copycat Auntie Anne’s Soft Pretzels

Steps

1. 1

   In a large mixing bowl, combine 4 to 4.5 cups of bread flour, 2.25 teaspoons (or one packet) of fast rising yeast, 2 tablespoons of light brown sugar, and 1.5 teaspoons of salt. Whisk or stir to ensure all dry ingredients are evenly distributed.

2. 2

   Add 1/4 cup of oil and 1.5 cups of warm water to the flour mixture.

3. 3

   Start stirring the mixture in the bowl until a shaggy dough forms and begins to pull away from the sides.

4. 4

   Turn the dough out onto a clean work surface. Gather the dough and begin to knead it, incorporating all the dry flour. Do not add more liquid during this process.

5. 5

   Continue kneading until the dough is mostly smooth. Lightly spray the mixing bowl with oil, place the dough inside, and cover with plastic wrap.

6. 6

   Let the dough rise in a warm spot until it has doubled in size, which should take approximately 1 hour.

   Start 1-hour timer
7. 7

   Preheat your oven to 450°F (230 °C) (230°C (450 °F)) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

8. 8

   Turn the proofed dough out onto a clean surface. Do not punch it down, as keeping the air inside will result in a fluffier pretzel.

9. 9

   Using a pizza cutter, cut a portion of the dough and roll it into a long rope. Shape the rope into a pretzel by laying the middle down, crossing the ends over each other twice, and pressing the ends down into the bottom curve.

10. 10

    Prepare a shallow dish with water and stir in 1/4 cup of baking soda.

11. 11

    Dip both sides of each shaped pretzel into the baking soda water, then place them onto the prepared parchment-lined baking sheet.

12. 12

    Brush the tops of all pretzels with an egg wash and sprinkle generously with coarse sea salt or pretzel salt.

13. 13

    Bake in the preheated oven at 450°F (230 °C) for 10 minutes until golden brown.

    Start 10-minute timer
14. 14

    Remove from the oven and immediately brush with melted butter for the classic copycat flavor.