You will love this easy recipe for delicious homemade soft pretzels - how to make them at home with step by step photos and instructions - they taste just like the ones at Oktoberfest!
In large mixing bowl or bowl of a stand mixer, combine water, yeast and sugar. Let it rest for 5 minutes until foamy. Add 4 cups of flour, salt and melted butter and mix until a dough forms using either a wooden spoon or the dough hook attachment on your stand mixer on low speed.
Tip the dough onto a well floured surface and knead by hand for 5 minutes, adding the remaining ½ cup flour if needed until dough is smooth and soft OR continue to knead using the dough hook attachment in your mixer on medium speed for 2-3 minutes, adding the remaining ½ cup flour if needed until dough is smooth and soft.
Shape the dough into ball and place in a large lightly greased bowl (or leave in the bowl of your stand mixer). Cover with a clean tea towel and let rest for 15 minutes. While the dough is resting, heat the oven to 230°C/450°F and line 2 baking sheets with silicone mats or baking paper. In large pot, bring water and baking soda to boil.
Tip the dough onto a clean work surface and divide into 8 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a 60cm long rope and twist into pretzel shape (see photos or video in post for guidance).
Using a slotted spoon, carefully dip 3 to 4 pretzels at a time into the boiling water and boil for 30 seconds. Remove pretzels with slotted spoon and transfer to lined baking sheets spaced about 4 cm apart. Sprinkle generously with rock salt. When all pretzels are boiled, bake for 12 to 14 minutes, rotating baking trays halfway through baking, until pretzels are a deep golden brown colour.
Serve immediately with cheese sauce if desired (see notes)
Pretzels will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for a couple of days but may need to be heated before eating and are better served on the day of baking.
Notes
Quick cheese sauce recipe:In a small bowl in the microwave melt 20 grams of butter. Add 2 Tablespoons of flour, mix together and put back in the microwave for 20 seconds until frothy. Add ⅓ cup milk, whisk together and microwave for 30 seconds - 1 minute until thickened. Stir through ¼ cup grated cheese, ½ teaspoon dijon mustard and ¼ teaspoon paprika. Serve immediately with the pretzels. (This can also be made in a small pot on the stove)