{"id":"soft_pretzel_37198ba8e9","slug":"soft-pretzel","title":"Soft Pretzel","description":"Warm, chewy, and perfectly salty, these classic soft pretzels are boiled in a baking soda bath and baked until golden brown for that authentic bakery finish.","serves":8,"time":{"prepMinutes":20,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":95,"activeMinutes":35},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"1 1/2 cups warm water","name":"Warm Water","quantity":360,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":1.5,"usUnit":"cup","form":"warm","notes":"approx 110°F (43°C)","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast","name":"Active dry yeast","quantity":7,"unit":"g","usQuantity":2.25,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"dry","notes":"1 standard packet","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"1 tsp salt","name":"Salt","quantity":6,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"fine","notes":"kosher or table salt","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"1 tbsp granulated sugar","name":"Granulated Sugar","quantity":12,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"granulated","notes":"","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted","name":"Butter","quantity":28,"unit":"g","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"melted","notes":"unsalted","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"4 cups all-purpose flour","name":"All-purpose flour","quantity":500,"unit":"g","usQuantity":4,"usUnit":"cup","form":"","notes":"plus extra for dusting","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"1/2 cup baking soda","name":"Baking Soda","quantity":120,"unit":"g","usQuantity":0.5,"usUnit":"cup","form":"powder","notes":"for the water bath","group":"Water Bath","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"9 cups water","name":"Water","quantity":2.1,"unit":"l","usQuantity":2.25,"usUnit":"quart","form":"","notes":"for boiling","group":"Water Bath","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-9","original":"1 large egg, beaten","name":"Egg","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"beaten","notes":"for egg wash","group":"Topping","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-10","original":"Coarse sea salt","name":"Sea Salt","quantity":5,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"coarse","notes":"for sprinkling","group":"Topping","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"Whisk together the warm water (110°F (43°C)), yeast, sugar, salt, and melted butter in a large bowl.","group":"Prepare Dough","title":"Whisk together the warm water, yeast, sugar, salt, and melted butter","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Prepare Dough"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"Slowly add the flour, 1 cup (125g) at a time, mixing with a wooden spoon until a dough forms. Knead for about 5 minutes until smooth and slightly tacky.","group":"Prepare Dough","title":"Slowly add the flour, 1 cup","timerMinutes":5,"sourceTitle":"Prepare Dough"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let rise in a warm spot for 1 hour or until doubled in size.","group":"Prepare Dough","title":"Place dough in a greased bowl","timerMinutes":60,"sourceTitle":"Prepare Dough"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.","group":"Shaping","title":"Preheat your oven","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Shaping"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Divide dough into 8 equal pieces. Roll each into a long rope about 20-22 inches long. Form into a 'U' shape, cross the ends, and press them onto the bottom to create the pretzel shape.","group":"Shaping","title":"Divide dough into 8 equal pieces","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Shaping"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"In a large pot, bring 9 cups of water and the baking soda to a boil. Drop pretzels into the boiling water one at a time for 30 seconds. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on baking sheets.","group":"Boiling","title":"Bring 9 cups of water and the baking soda","timerMinutes":1,"sourceTitle":"Boiling"},{"id":"instruction-7","text":"Brush each pretzel with the beaten egg wash and sprinkle generously with coarse sea salt.","group":"Baking","title":"Brush each pretzel","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Baking"},{"id":"instruction-8","text":"Bake for 12-15 minutes or until dark golden brown.","group":"Baking","title":"Bake for 12-15 minutes or","timerMinutes":15,"sourceTitle":"Baking"}],"notes":"The baking soda bath is essential for the characteristic pretzel flavor and deep golden color. For a sweeter version, omit the coarse salt and brush with melted butter then toss in cinnamon sugar after baking.","cuisine":{"group":"American","specific":["Bavarian Style"]},"course":["side"],"cookingMethod":["bake","boil"],"equipment":["large bowl","wooden spoon","slotted spoon","large pot","baking sheets","parchment paper"],"diet":["vegetarian"],"allergens":["wheat","gluten","milk","eggs"],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":8,"unit":"pretzel","note":"Large pretzels"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"You can shape the pretzels and refrigerate the dough overnight before boiling and baking."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store in an airtight container at room temperature. For best results, reheat in the oven or toaster oven.","reheatingNotes":"Reheat at 350°F (177°C) for 5 minutes."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fsoft_pretzel_37198ba8e9%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=26cbefd9-b72e-4022-bb4e-1152bd4c848e","imageAlt":"Soft Pretzel — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["soft pretzel","bread","salty snack","baking","classic"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Soft Pretzel","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-03T19:33:15.121Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-03T19:33:15.121Z","related":[{"id":"onion_rings_b6689e2aaf","slug":"classic-american-onion-rings","title":"Classic American Onion Rings","description":"Crispy, golden-brown onion rings featuring a light batter and a crunchy Panko coating. These are the perfect American snack or side dish, offering a satisfying crunch with every bite.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":30},"cuisine":{"group":"American","specific":["American"]},"course":["appetizer","side"],"difficulty":"medium","diet":["vegetarian"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fonion_rings_b6689e2aaf%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=99d356ae-4616-439b-bbcd-b41807d1e7c5","imageAlt":"Classic American Onion Rings — recipe cover","tags":["onion rings","crispy","fried","american classic","panko"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":8,"stepCount":7},{"id":"grits_74e85deef8","slug":"classic-creamy-southern-grits","title":"Classic Creamy Southern Grits","description":"A smooth, rich, and comforting Southern American breakfast staple made with stone-ground corn grits, slow-cooked in a mixture of milk and water for a velvety texture.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":25,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"American","specific":["Southern American"]},"course":["main","side"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fgrits_74e85deef8%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=349be80a-6060-410f-9be6-fd4a9f661858","imageAlt":"Classic Creamy Southern Grits — recipe cover","tags":["creamy","corn","classic","southern","comfort food","easy"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":5,"stepCount":4},{"id":"hash_browns_744d448465","slug":"classic-hash-browns","title":"Classic Hash Browns","description":"Crispy, golden-brown shredded potatoes that are perfectly seasoned and fried until crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside. A quintessential American breakfast staple.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":10,"totalMinutes":25,"activeMinutes":20},"cuisine":{"group":"American","specific":["Diner-style"]},"course":["side"],"difficulty":"medium","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fhash_browns_744d448465%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=91a58da5-d944-489a-ae21-2afe20a6ed47","imageAlt":"Classic Hash Browns — recipe cover","tags":["potatoes","crispy","classic","breakfast-sides","vegetarian"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":6,"stepCount":6}]}