Do you love Auntie Anne's Pretzels and have to get one everytime you go to the mall? Want to make them at home? I have a copycat Auntie Anne's Pretzel recipe for you today.
These soft pretzels are jus like Auntie Anne's and are easier to make than you might think. Don't be intimidated by the baking soda water bath step. It really isn't difficult and the results are well worth it!
How to Make Auntie Anne’s Pretzels Copycat
Why not try making some of these delicious soft pretzels yourself. While you can of course buy an Auntie Annies home Pretzel baking kit, making your own homemade baking mix is easy.
Ingredients for the Pretzels
- 1 ¼ cups warm water
- 1 package active dry yeast
- 3 ¾ cups of flour (all-purpose)
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons vegetable or other frying oil
- ¼ cup melted butter
- pretzel salt if you can’t find pretzel salt any coarse salt will also work
Soda Bath
- 4 cups water
- ½ cup baking soda
Directions
Start by dissolving yeast in a small bowl of warm water. Set aside for a few minutes until it starts to get foamy.
In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar and salt. Add in the yeast water and vegetable oil. Mix to form dough. A stand mixer with a dough hook can make this step very easy.
Knead the mixture for about 5 minutes on a lightly floured surface, until it is nice smooth dough.
Next, place dough in a large greased bowl. Cover the mixing bowl and put in a warm spot to leave dough to rise until doubled in size. This will take approximately 45 minutes, but varies.
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
Create a baking soda solution for the pretzels by mixing warm water and baking soda in a large pan. Stir until the soda mostly dissolves and bring to a gentle boil. reduce to simmer.
To complete the boiling station, put out a sheet pan that is greased or lined with parchment paper along with a few paper towels on a plate.
Cut the pretzel dough into 8 equal pieces, and roll each into a 3 ft. long rope.
Shape the pretzels by picking up both ends of each dough rope. Give it a little spin so the middle of the dough spins around. Then flip the twisted ends down toward you to create the traditional pretzel look. Pinch the ends in place to create the classic pretzel shape.
If you want to make pretzel bites simply cut the dough ropes into roughly 1 to 1 ½ inch pieces.
Dip the pretzels in the water bath one or two at a time. Let any excess water to drain off on the paper towel lined plate as you remove them.
Place the pretzels on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 9-10 turning at the halfway point. When golden brown the pretzels are done.
Baste each soft pretzel with melted butter and season with coarse salt or shake in cinnamon and brown sugar.
You'll be enjoying a beer and dunking these in cheese sauce, such as my Queso dip before you know it. The homemade baked pretzels are great with caramel or garlic butter dipping sauce too.
If you don't want to fuss with shaping the pretzel twists try making my Pretzel Rolls Recipe. They are great for sliders!
Storing Leftover Soft Pretzels
Once the pretzels are completely cooled, place in an airtight container or individually wrap in plastic cling wrap. They will last a day or two at room temperature, up to four days in the fridge, and a month or two in the freezer.
Reheat in a 350 degree oven. It will take about 5 minutes (at least 10 minutes if frozen)
Auntie Anne's Pretzel Recipe (copycat)
Ingredients
Pretzels
- 1 ¼ cups warm water
- 1 package active dry yeast
- 3 ¾ cups all purpose flour
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
- ¼ cup butter melted
- pretzel salt if you can’t find pretzel salt any coarse salt will also work
Pretzel Soda Bath
- 4 cups warm water
- ½ cup baking soda
Instructions
- In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water. Set aside for a few minutes until it starts to get foamy.
- In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar and salt. Add in the yeast water and vegetable oil.
- Mix into a dough.
- Knead the dough for 5 minutes until it is nice and smooth.
- Lightly oil a bowl and place dough inside. Cover and let rise in a warm space for 45 minutes or until it doubles in size.
- Preheat your oven to 425.
- You will want an area that will allow you to spread out a bit. You will need to create a water bath by mixing water and baking soda in a large pan. Stir until the baking soda mostly dissolves and bring to a gentle boil. reduce to simmer.
- Place a few paper towels on a plate and set next to your water bath. You will also need a parchment lined or lightly greased baking sheet.
- Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces.
- Roll each portion into a 3 foot long rope. (Remember making snakes with Play-Doh when you were younger? It’s time to put those skills to action again!)
- Pick up both ends of the dough and give it a little spin so the middle of the dough spins around.
- Then flip the twisted ends down toward you to create the traditional pretzel look. Pinch the ends in place.
- Dip the pretzel in the water bath and let drip on the paper towel for any excess water to drain off.
- Place the pretzels on your baking sheet.
- Bake pretzels for 4 minutes. Then turn the baking sheet and cook for 5 more minutes. When golden brown the pretzels are done.
- Melt the butter. Brush over the pretzels and sprinkle with salt.*
Notes
Nutrition
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