Soft Pretzel is a baked bread made from thin length of dough. It is twisted in certain way to form a distinctive shape resembles folded arms across the chess. The crusty and shiny surface of Pretzel comes from browning solution.
Add ¼ teaspoon instant yeast, 110 g water, 20 g sugar and ¼ teaspoon salt, stir until all yeast completely dissolved. Add 200 g all-purpose flour and knead to form dough, mix with room temperature butter (20 g), and continue to knead until smooth and elastic dough is formed (4-5 minutes).
Cover with cling wrap, set aside at warm place to proof for 60 minutes.
Mix 25 g light brown sugar with ¼ teaspoon of ground cinnamon for Pretzel coating.
Prepare baking soda solution for crust browning. Mix 25 g baking soda with 250 ml hot water (about 70°C).
Divide dough into 8 portions, cover and rest for 15 minutes.
Preheating your oven to 220°C (425°F), takes about 10-15 minutes.
Roll dough into 50 cm long strips. Dust flour lightly on working surface if needed. Twist all the dough strips into Pretzel shape.
Dip each Pretzel into baking soda solution and place onto a clean dry towel to remove excess water.
Bake for 12 minutes in a preheated oven at 220℃/425F°.
Brush soft pretzel with melted butter and coat with cinnamon sugar, and you have Cinnamon Sugar Soft Pretzel. You can serve them plain too with just butter or sprinkle with little salt and sugar. The best time to add salt is after dipping in baking soda solution so that it will stick.