Inspired by the biggest package of yeast I’ve ever seen (Costco, you complete me.) we’re baking and baking some more! Today it was a new soft pretzel recipe and…BOY WERE THEY GOOD!

What I love about this soft pretzel recipe:

It’s so easy.

My nine-year-old made the dough by herself with a couple of minor assists.

Soft pretzels are fun for kids to make.

The six and seven-year-olds helped her form 10 pretzels in every shape they could imagine–and it took about 15 minutes. (I made two. Because I couldn’t resist! #lookoutkids)

Yum.

And if you think I’m going to say “homemade pretzels are absolutely delicious” you are right as rain.

How to make our Simple Soft Pretzel Recipe:

1. Mix the dough together and knead for 7-8 minutes. (Prepare for flour everywhere.)

2. Proof for about an hour then divide the soft pretzel dough into 12 slices.

3. Roll each slice into a long snake. This will be your soft pretzel.

4. Shape the “snakes” into soft pretzels. Or a man. Or a coiled snake. Or… (Just try to come up with a design that’s flat so all the soft pretzels cook evenly in the same amount of time.) Dip into a baking soda/water solution. Sprinkle with salt and bake.

5. After about 8 minutes, you’ll have freshly baked soft pretzels that you can:

• devour immediately
• brush with butter and sprinkle cinnamon sugar on top
• dip in mustard
• any combination of the above — you’ll have 12 to work with

Recipe for Simple Soft Pretzels

Simple Soft Pretzels

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For the warm water, think of a nice bath temperature. You need something to activate the yeast but don’t overdo it.

• Author: Charity
• Prep Time: 1 hour 35 mins
• Cook Time: 8 mins
• Total Time: 1 hour 43 mins
• Yield: 12 1x

Ingredients

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• 4 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 teaspoon white sugar
• 1 1/4 cups warm water
• 5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• 1/2 cup baking soda
• 4 cups hot water
• 3 tablespoons coarse salt

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Instructions

1. In a large liquid measuring cup, combine yeast and 1 teaspoon sugar. Add 1 1/4 cup warm water. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.
2. In a large bowl, mix flour, 1/2 cup sugar and salt. Make a well in the center; add the oil and yeast mixture. Mix and form into a dough. If the mixture is dry, add one or two more tablespoons of water.
3. Knead the dough until smooth, about 7 to 8 minutes.
4. Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl, and turn to coat with oil. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
5. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
6. Meanwhile, pour 4 cups of hot water into a large bowl and stir in the baking soda.
7. When the dough is risen, flip it onto a lightly floured surface and divide into 12 equal slices.
8. Roll each piece into a rope and twist into a pretzel (or whatever) shape.
9. Once the dough is shaped, dip each pretzel into the baking soda-hot water solution and place on baking sheets. Sprinkle with kosher salt.
10. Bake in preheated oven until browned, about 8 minutes.

Want more ideas your kids can help with?

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