Soft Pretzels

Chewy with a crisp crust, these make for a great snack with a side of tangy mustard.

Soft Pretzels

Ingredients

  • ¾ cup (180 ml) water, 105°F-115°F (40°C-46°C
  • ¼ cup (55 g) brown sugar
  • 1 package active dry yeast
  • ¼ cup (30 g) whole wheat flour
  • ½ cup (65 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1½ cup (205 g) high gluten bread flour
  • 1 pinch salt, optional
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 Tablespoons kosher salt, optional

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C).
  2. To proof the yeast, combine warm water, brown sugar, and yeast. Stir slowly to combine. Set aside for 5 minutes.
  3. Place flours and salt into the Vitamix Dry Grains Container and secure lid.
  4. Select Variable 1.
  5. Turn machine on and slowly increase speed to Variable 6.
  6. Blend until a hole forms in the center of the flour mixture, about 5 seconds.
  7. Turn off machine.
  8. Select Variable 3.
  9. Turn machine on and remove the lid plug. Add the yeast mixture through the lid plug opening.
  10. Stop machine and replace lid plug.
  11. Select the highest speed.
  12. Turn machine on and off to pulse two times. Stop machine and remove lid.
  13. While dough rests, lightly coat a baking sheet with vegetable cooking spray or shortening.
  14. Use a wet nylon spatula to scrape the sides of the container, pulling the dough away from the container sides and into the center of the mixture. Replace lid.
  15. Select the highest speed.
  16. Turn the machine on and off to pulse five more times.
  17. Add additional water, 1 Tablespoon at a time, only if dough seems exceptionally dry.
  18. Repeat process five times, scraping the sides of the container until the dough binds together into a soft, elastic mixture.
  19. With the lid on the container, let the dough rise until doubled in size, about 15 minutes.
  20. Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface and divide into 12 pieces.
  21. With your palms, roll each piece to form a rope about 12-inches to 18-inches (30 cm-46 cm) long. Loop into an oval, twist the ends together and gently press the ends to the top side of the oval.
  22. Whisk together the egg and water. Slowly and gently brush the egg mixture on each pretzel shape, and then sprinkle with salt.
  23. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until crispy and lightly browned.

Ingredients

  • 2 Tablespoons kosher salt, optional

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C).
  2. To proof the yeast, combine warm water, brown sugar, and yeast. Stir slowly to combine. Set aside for 5 minutes.
  3. Place flours and salt into the Vitamix Dry Grains Container and secure lid.
  4. Select Variable 1.
  5. Turn machine on and slowly increase speed to Variable 6.
  6. Blend until a hole forms in the center of the flour mixture, about 5 seconds.
  7. Turn off machine.
  8. Select Variable 3.
  9. Turn machine on and remove the lid plug. Add the yeast mixture through the lid plug opening.
  10. Stop machine and replace lid plug.
  11. Select the highest speed.
  12. Turn machine on and off to pulse two times. Stop machine and remove lid.
  13. While dough rests, lightly coat a baking sheet with vegetable cooking spray or shortening.
  14. Use a wet nylon spatula to scrape the sides of the container, pulling the dough away from the container sides and into the center of the mixture. Replace lid.
  15. Select the highest speed.
  16. Turn the machine on and off to pulse five more times.
  17. Add additional water, 1 Tablespoon at a time, only if dough seems exceptionally dry.
  18. Repeat process five times, scraping the sides of the container until the dough binds together into a soft, elastic mixture.
  19. With the lid on the container, let the dough rise until doubled in size, about 15 minutes.
  20. Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface and divide into 12 pieces.
  21. With your palms, roll each piece to form a rope about 12-inches to 18-inches (30 cm-46 cm) long. Loop into an oval, twist the ends together and gently press the ends to the top side of the oval.
  22. Whisk together the egg and water. Slowly and gently brush the egg mixture on each pretzel shape, and then sprinkle with salt.
  23. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until crispy and lightly browned.

Chef's Notes

Please refer to our dry grain grinding chart for more details on grinding whole wheat flour.

Ingredients

  • ¾ cup (180 ml) water, 105°F-115°F (40°C-46°C)
  • ¼ cup (55 g) brown sugar
  • 1 package active dry yeast
  • ¼ cup (30 g) whole wheat flour
  • ½ cup (65 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ cups (205 g) high gluten bread flour
  • 1 pinch salt, optional
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 Tablespoons (30 ) kosher salt, optional

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C).  Lightly coat a baking sheet with vegetable cooking spray or shortening.  To proof the yeast, combine warm water, brown sugar, and yeast. Stir slowly to combine. Set aside for 5 minutes.
  2. Place flours and salt, optional into the Vitamix Dry Grains Container and secure lid.
  3. Start the blender on its lowest speed, then quickly increase to Variable 6.  Blend for 5 seconds or until a hole forms in the center of the flour mixture.
  4. Start the blender on its lowest speed, then quickly increase to Variable 3 and remove the lid plug. Add the yeast mixture through the lid plug opening. Stop machine and replace lid plug.
  5. Select Variable 10. Pulse 2 to 3 times.  Remove the lid and scrape the sides of the container, pulling the dough away from the container sides and into the center of the mixture. Replace lid.
  6. Select Variable 10. Pulse 5 times.   Add additional water, 1 Tablespoon at a time, only if dough seems exceptionally dry.
  7. Repeat process five times, scraping the sides of the container until the dough binds together into a soft, elastic mixture.
  8. With floured hands, remove dough and form into a round ball and allow to rise in a warm spot, until doubled in size.
  9. Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface and divide into 12 pieces.
  10. With your palms, roll each piece to form a rope about 12-inches to 18-inches (30 cm-46 cm) long. Loop into an oval, twist the ends together and gently press the ends to the top side of the oval.  Place on prepared baking sheet.
  11. Whisk together the egg and water. Slowly and gently brush the egg mixture on each pretzel shape, and then sprinkle with kosher salt.
  12. Place in preheated oven and bake for 8-10 minutes or until crispy and lightly browned. Best when served warm.