Every trip to the mall has its traditions, the tastiest of which is a visit to Auntie Anne’s for a pretzel. Now you can skip the whole trip with Copycat Auntie Anne’s® Pretzels. These baked goods are fresher, warmer, and just more fun than what you might find at your local shopping center. An excellent snack, appetizer, or fun treat, Copycat Auntie Anne’s Pretzels can even be customized by dipping them in cinnamon-sugar instead of coarse salt.
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 3 1/2 cups warm water, divided
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
- 1 cup bread flour
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons baking soda
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- coarse salt, to taste
Directions
Step 1 -Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
Step 2 -Prepare two large baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper.
Step 3 -In a large mixing bowl, stir the active dry yeast into 1 1/2 cups of the warm water until it is fully dissolved.
Step 4 -Add the brown sugar and the salt, stirring until well-dissolved.
Step 5 -Add the bread flour and the all-purpose flour and knead by hand until a smooth and elastic dough forms.
Step 6 -Allow the dough mixture to rise in a warm place for at least 30 minutes.
Step 7 -While the dough is rising, prepare the baking soda water bath by combining the remaining warm water and the baking soda in a large bowl until the baking soda dissolves. This baking soda bath is essential in getting the distinctive pretzel exterior.
Step 8 -After the dough has risen, pinch off bits of the dough and roll each pinched piece into a long rope-like shape, which should be about 1/2-inch-thick.
Step 9 -Shape the dough rope into a pretzel.
Step 10 -Dip the dough pretzel into the baking soda bath and then place it onto the prepared baking tray.
Step 11 -Repeat these steps until all of the dough has been used.
Step 12 -Set the baking sheets aside and allow the pretzels to rise again for 30 minutes.
Step 13 -Bake the pretzels in the oven until they are golden-brown, about 10 minutes.
Step 14 -Brush the pretzels with the melted butter and sprinkle them with the coarse salt. Serve warm or at room temperature.
