Auntie Anne's Pretzel Recipe (2024)

April 9, 2023July 26, 2017 by Heather

This Auntie Anne’s Pretzel Recipe is a long-standing go-to in my family. The buttery, chewy, slightly sweet pretzel dough that just melts in your mouth. These pretzels are by far one of our favorites. They never last long around here, I usually have to make a double batch just to keep hubby and the teens satisfied.

Have you ever taken a trip to the mall JUST for the warm chewy deliciousness of an Auntie Annes pretzel? You are not alone! There should be a secret support group for this addiction. The warm chewy center. The golden outer crust. The tangy sea salt perfectly placed around the top………… Ohhhh just heaven on a plate (or in a cup if you choose the wonderful little bites perfect for dipping!)

Helpful tools used to make this recipe:
Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer|Glass Baking Bowls|Baking Sheet Pan|Kitchen Timer

Now you can make this irresistiblecopycat recipeyourself and enjoy your pretzel addiction in the comfort of your own home. No one ever needs to know how much you crave these salty little bites of heaven. Ok, now I sound like the little devil on your shoulder telling you to do the really bad things. I’m really just trying to help you here! I promise I am. You will thank me after you make these just once! They are as close to the original as it can get from home. Give this recipe a try and let me know how they come out for you!

When it comes to food, we love trying to recreate our favorite restaurant dishes at home. That also includes fast food and snack ideas as well. Like CopycatTaco Bell Loaded Potato GrillersandMcDonald’s Shamrock Shake.

One of our absolute favorite snacks, hands down, has to be the iconic Auntie Anne’s Pretzels. Slightly sweet with a golden, buttery pretzel crust. Making these delicious pretzels is easier than you might think. Sure, they do take a little time. Trust me, they are so worth it. Here is how you can make our version of Copycat Auntie Anne’s pretzels right from home.

Copycat Recipe: How to Make Auntie Anne’s Pretzels

Helpful tools used to make this recipe:

Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer|Glass Baking Bowls|Baking Sheet Pan|Kitchen Timer

Ingredients for Auntie Anne’s Pretzel Recipe

• 1 Cup whole milk (you can also use a whole milk substitute if you are out)
• 1 packet active dry yeast
• 3 Tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 2 1/4Cups flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 Tablespoonsbaking soda (or a baking soda substitute)
• 1 1/2 Cups warm water
• Coarse salt
• 2 Tablespoonsbutter, melted in asmall bowl

Directions for Auntie Anne’s Pretzel Recipe

1. Warm the milk in the microwave or on the stove top for about one minuteto 110º. If it’s too hot it will kill the yeast. You should be able to comfortably keep your finger in it.
2. Stir in the yeast and let it sit for about 3 minutes
3. Add the butter and sugar.
4. Add the flour 1 cup at a time and then add the salt.
5. Knead the dough for about 10 minutes with a stand mixer, or by hand until smooth and elastic. Sprinkle with flour as you knead if the dough is too sticky
6. Place the dough in a greased bowl turning once and cover with plastic wrap.
7. Let it rise for 1 hour in a moist, warm place until doubled in size.
8. *TIP: preheat your oven on the lowest “warm” setting while you are mixing the dough. Turn it off before you begin kneading the dough. Place the covered dough in the warm oven for 1 hour.
9. Remove from the warmed oven
10. Preheat the oven to 400º.
11. Combine the warm water and baking soda in a bowl and set aside.

12. Punch down dough and turn it out on to a lightly floured surface.
13. Divide into 12 – 16 equal pieces
14. Roll the dough all out into logs as thin as you can.
15. Shape each piece ofthe dough into pretzel shapes (see the video above), then dip them in the baking soda water.
16. Place on a greased baking sheet and sprinkle with coarse salt.
17. Bake for 7-11 minutes or until browned.
18. While hot, brusheach pretzel with melted butter. Serve with The Perfect Cheese sauce (recipe below).

Recipe Note:

Makes 6 large pretzels or 12 – 16 small pretzels

Check out the video above to see how easy it easy to shape your pretzels!

Ingredients for Auntie Anne’s Cheese Sauce (perfect for dipping!)

• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1 C milk
• 8 oz extra sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• pinch of salt

Instructions for Auntie Anne’s Cheese Sauce

1. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter.
2. Whisk in the flour and cook for 30 seconds, whisking constantly.
3. Slowly whisk in the milk until no lumps of flour remain.
4. Stirring constantly, bring the milk to a simmer over medium-low heat until it thickens, about 3-5 minutes.
5. Remove the pan from the stove and stir in the shredded cheese until all of the cheese has melted.
6. Add a pinch of salt, if needed.
7. Serve warm. Leftovers can be reheated in the microwave on medium power at 30-second intervals.

If the sweeter version of these perfect pretzels is more your taste, try dipping them in cinnamon sugar mixture once they come out of the melted butter! Delicious!!

Just look at that golden, buttery crust. They are incredible! Don’t just take my word for it, try making up a batch of these for yourself and see.

Check out our entire guide of copycat recipes. And let us know what you want us to do next!

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