Once you make your own soft pretzels for the first time, you'll be wanting to make them all the time. After you master the steps, it won't ever seem complicated again.
Knot so hard to do: Homemade pretzels —
Once you make your own soft pretzels for the first time, you'll be wanting to make them all the time. After you master the steps, it won't ever seem complicated again.
Ashley Strickland/CNN
Begin by cutting the dough into 8 uniform chunks, then roll each one into a long, thin 28- to 30-inch rope. The length will give you plenty of dough to work with as you shape each pretzel.
Knot so hard to do: Homemade pretzels —
Begin by cutting the dough into 8 uniform chunks, then roll each one into a long, thin 28- to 30-inch rope. The length will give you plenty of dough to work with as you shape each pretzel.
Ashley Strickland/CNN
Begin by arranging each rope into a simple oval, crossing one end over the other. Then, flip the knot under once more. Bring the ends to rest at the top of the small oval shape, pinching them in so they'll stay secure. Then, flip the pretzel over, so the pinched ends are resting on the bottom.
Knot so hard to do: Homemade pretzels —
Begin by arranging each rope into a simple oval, crossing one end over the other. Then, flip the knot under once more. Bring the ends to rest at the top of the small oval shape, pinching them in so they'll stay secure. Then, flip the pretzel over, so the pinched ends are resting on the bottom.
Ashley Strickland/CNN
Pretzels take their characteristic golden color from a baking soda bath. Working with 4 pretzels at a time, place them in a 9-inch baking pan filled with water and baking soda for 2 minutes. Spoon water over the tops of the pretzels during this time.
Knot so hard to do: Homemade pretzels —
Pretzels take their characteristic golden color from a baking soda bath. Working with 4 pretzels at a time, place them in a 9-inch baking pan filled with water and baking soda for 2 minutes. Spoon water over the tops of the pretzels during this time.
Ashley Strickland/CNN
After the 2-minute bath, place the pretzels on a parchment-lined baking sheet and sprinkle with salt. Bake them for 8-9 minutes at 475 degrees.
Knot so hard to do: Homemade pretzels —
After the 2-minute bath, place the pretzels on a parchment-lined baking sheet and sprinkle with salt. Bake them for 8-9 minutes at 475 degrees.
Ashley Strickland/CNN
Once the pretzels come out of the oven, brush them liberally with butter. Don't be afraid to put on several coats until you have used all of it. The butter gives these pretzels their characteristic texture.
Knot so hard to do: Homemade pretzels —
Once the pretzels come out of the oven, brush them liberally with butter. Don't be afraid to put on several coats until you have used all of it. The butter gives these pretzels their characteristic texture.
Ashley Strickland/CNN