Homemade Soft Pretzels! Just like Auntie Anne's!

Joe and I were at the mall last week and smelled the delicious aroma of Auntie Anne's soft pretzels floating through the mall! Yum! No matter how full I am I always have room for a soft pretzel! We waited in line and ordered the special which was buy 3 pretzels and a large drink and get a pretzel free. We also ordered another drink and an extra pretzel so that we could take each of the boys one home! Well imagine the shock that I got when she said my total was $19.75! What!? For pretzels and drinks! We paid our total, grabbed our bag and sat down to enjoy our delicious...and expensive pretzels!

Yes they are good...but are they worth that much money? Surely there has to be a way to make them at home and have extra pretzels to share!

After doing some searching I found a recipe that is supposed to be exactly like Auntie Anne's and boy are they delicious..and way cheaper!

Auntie Anne’s Pretzels 

1 1/2 C. warm water
1 1/8 tsp active dry yeast (1 1/2 pkg.)
2 Tbsp brown sugar
1 1/8 tsp salt
1 C. bread flour
3 C. regular flour
2 C. warm water
2 Tbsp baking soda
To taste, coarse salt
2 – 4 Tbsp butter (melted)

Sprinkle yeast on lukewarm water in mixing bowl; stir to dissolve. Add sugar, salt and stir to dissolve; add flour and knead dough until smooth and elastic. Let rise at least 1/2 hour.

While dough is rising, prepare a baking soda water bath with 2 cups warm water and 2 tbsp baking soda. Be certain to stir often.

After dough has risen, pinch off bits of dough and roll into a long rope (about 1/2 inch or less thick) and shape. Dip pretzel in soda solution and place on greased baking sheet. Sprinkle with coarse salt. Allow pretzels to rise again. Bake in oven at 450 for about 10 minutes or until golden. Brush with melted butter and enjoy!

Or for Auntie Anne’s famous cinnamon Sugar, try melting a stick of butter in a shallow bowl (big enough to fit the entire pretzel) and in another shallow bowl make a mixture of cinnamon and sugar. Dip the pretzel into the butter, coating both sides generously. Then dip again into the cinnamon mixture.

Great to make on a rainy day, party or sleepover!! Enjoy!