Tips for Making Homemade Pretzels

Learn 5 tips to make soft homemade pretzels!

•To ensure that the pretzels retain their shape when baked, roll the pretzel ropes longer than you think! •I roll the pretzel ropes about 30 inches long.

1. Roll Ropes Out Long Enough

2. Refrigerate the Shaped Pretzels

•Once your pretzels are shaped, refrigerate them for 30 minutes or longer. •Refrigeration will make the pretzels easier to transfer to their baking soda bath.

3. Use Baked Baking Soda for the Bath

•Pretzels are typically made with lye, but lye is a caustic substance that most home bakers don't have access to. •Instead, bake baking soda on a sheet pan for an hour...

•The baked baking soda transforms the sodium bicarbonate into sodium carbonate. •When you place the pretzels in the baked baking soda bath, they'll come out browner, like lye!

4. Bake at a High Temperature

•Bake the pretzels at 450ºF (232ºC). •This high temperature will help them rise quickly and ensure you get a soft interior!

5. Add An Egg Wash

•To get the classic pretzel shine without using lye, brush an egg wash on the pretzels before they bake! •This will also help brown the pretzels more.

Learn more!

Get the full Sourdough Pretzel recipe on SourdoughBrandon.com The recipe includes a how-to guide with photos, detailed instructions, and a pretzel shaping video.