Pretzel Bread
This recipe for pretzel bread is incredibly tasty! It’s super soft, with a hint of sweetness. The outer crust tastes and looks just like a pretzel!
Pretzel bread. It’s a beautiful thing! And I’m glad I discovered it, because gosh darn, its delicious!
Ive tried making pretzels before, which came out very tasty. But I just couldn’t get them into that perfect pretzel knot shape! So, this read is perfect, because it tastes JUST like a pretzel, without the knot!
This bread is seriously one of a kind. It doesn’t taste like your typical loaf of bread. It has this perfect hint of sweetness. It’s super duper soft on the inside, and has these beautiful swirls of dark brown on the outside, that tastes just like a pretzel!
Oh yeah, cant forget this seat salt thats sprinkled on top! Whats a pretzel without some saltiness on top?!
What I thought was really cool and interesting about making this bread was the baking soda bath! Thats what gives it that pretzel look and flavor on the outside!
You literally boil the ball of bread dough for 90 seconds, then bake it. Cool huh?!
If you make this recipe, I hope you enjoy it!
Make sure to check me out on Facebook, instagram and Pinterest @thehungrylyoness! If you follow me, you’ll see when I post new recipes!
Check out this other recipe of mine for sweet Italian Easter bread! https://thehungrylyoness.com/sweet-italian-easter-bread/
Pretzel Bread
Ingredients
For Dough
- 2 ¼ tsps active dry yeast
- 1 cup warm water
- 2 tbsps whole milk OR half and half
- 3 tbsps brown sugar, light OR dark
- 4 tbsps melted butter, unsalted OR salted
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 3 cups all purpose flour
For Baking Soda Bath
- 4 quarts water
- 1/2 cup baking soda
For Topping
- 1 tbsp sea salt
Instructions
- In a bowl of stand mixer (or hand held mixer) combine yeast, warm water and brown sugar. Let sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
- In a small bowl combine melted butter and milk. Add mixture to yeast mixture.
- Using dough hook attachment, mix on low speed until combined. If you don’t have a dough hook attachment, whatever you are using to mix will work. I’d recommend a wooden spoon.
- Add salt and flour. Mix until flour is completely incorporated.
- Knead dough with dough hook attachment for about 5 minutes, or by hand. Dough should be slightly tacky, but not too sticky. If its too sticky where its sticking to your hands, add a tbsp more of flour until its not sticky.
- Cover bowl with dough in it with a damp towel. Let sit for about 1 hour until dough doubles in size.
- When dough has risen, preheat oven to 400°, and bring 4 quarts of water to a boil.
- Take your dough and gently press it down to release any air bubbles. Divide and roll into two even balls.
- When water starts to boil, carefully add baking soda, a little at a time. If you add all of the baking soda at once, your water will fizz and go everywhere!
- Once all of your baking soda is in water, add one ball of dough to water and boil for 90 seconds on each side.
- Scoop dough out with slotted spoon to drain excess water off and place on a greased or lined baking sheet. Repeat with other dough ball.
- Sprinkle sea salt over dough. Bake in preheated oven for 22-25 minutes. Rotate baking sheet once throughout baking time.
- When bread is done, remove from oven, and transfer to a wire rack to cool. Enjoy!
