Auntie's Soft and Savory Amish Pretzels
Indulge in the delightful taste of Auntie's Soft and Savory Amish Pretzels. This beloved Amish recipe combines simple ingredients to create a soft, chewy snack that's perfect for sharing or enjoying on your own. With a golden-brown crust and a delectable buttery finish, these pretzels are sure to become a family favorite. Customize them with various flavors, from sweet cinnamon sugar to savory garlic and onion, to suit your palate. Gather around the kitchen and savor the joy of homemade pretzels!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
water
1 1/4 cups (warm (approx. 105 degrees))
yeast
1 tablespoon (dissolved in water)
brown sugar
1/4 cup (mixed with yeast and water)
bread flour (occident flour)
2 cups (added to the dough)
all-purpose flour
2 cups (added to the dough)
baking soda
1/2 cup (mixed with hot water for dipping solution)
hot water
3 cups (used to dissolve baking soda)
sweet creamy butter
to taste (melted for dipping)
Instructions
1
In a large mixing bowl, dissolve the yeast in the warm water (approx. 105°F) and allow it to sit for about 5 minutes until foamy.
2
Stir in the brown sugar and mix until fully dissolved.
3
Gradually add the bread flour and all-purpose flour, mixing until the dough is well combined. Avoid kneading to keep the pretzels soft.
4
Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and let the dough rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 20-30 minutes.
5
Preheat your oven to 500-550°F and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or grease lightly.
6
Once the dough has doubled, divide it into small portions and roll each into ropes approximately 24 inches long.
7
Shape each rope into a pretzel by forming a U-shape and twisting the ends together before folding them back to create the classic pretzel shape.
8
In a separate bowl, mix the baking soda with 3 cups of hot water to create a dipping solution. Dip each pretzel into the solution for a few seconds to enhance flavor and texture.
9
Place the dipped pretzels on the prepared cookie sheet, and sprinkle them with coarse pretzel salt.
10
Bake in the preheated oven for 4-6 minutes or until golden brown and puffed up.
11
Once baked, dip the face of each pretzel into melted butter for a rich and delicious finish.
12
Explore flavor variations by adding 1 teaspoon of vanilla to the dough, or try different toppings like cinnamon sugar, garlic powder, or sesame seeds before baking.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Auntie's Soft and Savory Amish Pretzels?
Auntie's Soft and Savory Amish Pretzels are a beloved, homemade snack featuring a golden-brown crust, a chewy interior, and a delicious buttery finish.
How long does it take for the yeast to become foamy?
The yeast should sit in warm water for about 5 minutes until it becomes foamy.
What is the ideal water temperature for dissolving the yeast?
The water should be approximately 105 degrees Fahrenheit to properly activate the yeast.
Why is it important to avoid kneading the dough for these pretzels?
Avoiding kneading helps keep the dough soft and prevents the pretzels from becoming too tough.
How long should the dough rise?
The dough should rise in a warm place for about 20 to 30 minutes, or until it has doubled in size.
What oven temperature is required for baking these pretzels?
The oven should be preheated to a high temperature between 500 and 550 degrees Fahrenheit.
How long should the dough ropes be when shaping the pretzels?
Each portion of dough should be rolled into a rope approximately 24 inches long.
What is the purpose of the baking soda dipping solution?
The baking soda solution enhances the flavor and creates the classic pretzel texture and color during baking.
How do I make the baking soda dipping solution?
Mix 1/2 cup of baking soda with 3 cups of hot water in a separate bowl.
How long do the pretzels need to bake?
The pretzels bake very quickly, usually taking only 4 to 6 minutes until they are golden brown and puffed up.
What should I do immediately after the pretzels come out of the oven?
Once baked, dip the face of each pretzel into melted sweet creamy butter for a rich finish.
Can I add flavor to the dough itself?
Yes, you can explore flavor variations by adding 1 teaspoon of vanilla to the dough.
What kind of flour is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for a combination of 2 cups of bread flour (occident flour) and 2 cups of all-purpose flour.
What type of sugar is best for this recipe?
Brown sugar is used to provide a hint of sweetness and help activate the yeast.
How do I shape the classic pretzel form?
Form a U-shape with the dough rope, twist the ends together, and fold them back down to the bottom of the U.
What savory toppings are recommended?
Savory options include garlic powder, onion, or sesame seeds sprinkled on before baking.
Can I make these pretzels sweet?
Yes, you can top them with cinnamon sugar after the butter dip for a sweet variation.
What kind of salt should be used?
Coarse pretzel salt is recommended for the traditional savory pretzel taste.
Is parchment paper necessary?
Parchment paper is recommended to prevent sticking, though you can also lightly grease the cookie sheet.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 8 primary ingredients: water, yeast, brown sugar, bread flour, all-purpose flour, baking soda, hot water, and sweet creamy butter.
Is this a traditional Amish recipe?
Yes, it is described as a beloved Amish recipe known for its simple ingredients and soft texture.
How much yeast is needed?
The recipe requires 1 tablespoon of yeast.
Does the dough need to be refrigerated?
No, the instructions indicate letting the dough rise in a warm place.
What is the total amount of flour used?
The recipe uses a total of 4 cups of flour: 2 cups of bread flour and 2 cups of all-purpose flour.
Can I use a different type of butter?
The recipe specifies sweet creamy butter for the best flavor, but you can adjust to your preference.
What are some popular tags for this recipe?
Popular tags include soft pretzels, amish recipe, yeast bread, snack, and homemade.
Is this recipe suitable for families?
Yes, it is marketed as a family favorite and a great activity to do together in the kitchen.
How many pretzels does this recipe make?
The recipe does not specify a final count, as it depends on how small you divide the dough portions.
What texture should the dough have?
The dough should be well combined and soft, rather than dense or overly worked.
Why is the oven temperature so high?
The high heat (500-550F) allows the pretzels to puff up and brown quickly while remaining soft inside.