Auntie Anne’s Pretzel Recipe

The History of Auntie Anne’s Pretzels

In 1988, malls everywhere were infused with a new delectable aroma emitted from the baking of soft pretzels at Auntie Anne’s. It all began when Anne Beiler bought a stand in a Pennsylvania farmer’s market and from there, launched into one of the most epic snack stops in malls across America with her Auntie Anne’s pretzel recipe.

While it had a humble beginning, Auntie Anne’s proved that pretzels were perfect for mid-mall snacking. Rivaling Cinnabon, it cornered the market with both savory and sweet options that people of all ages happily snarfed up.

Now, it’s a worldwide venture that has brought its own twisted version of joy to all the corners of the world. I remember vividly that it was one of the most delicious ways I could nab a snack while roaming the malls, one that would at least tide me over until I’d make it to the food court.

RELATED: Auntie Anne’s Tries New Pretzel Snack

A Staple Franchise for Every Mall

When I see an Auntie Anne’s location to this very day, I still think of my friend Jason who had a sweet part-time job working the one in our local mall. I’m sure he wasn’t supposed to do this, but whenever I’d see him behind the counter, he’d wave me over.

He’d have a stash of misshapen pretzels that his manager had deemed unfit to sell. They were supposed to be for employees, but Jason assured me that there were enough wonky pretzels to give out to friends and still feed every employee 3 square meals a day.

It was an extra special treat to get those soft, pillowy pretzels for free. While my mall days are long gone, my love for soft pretzels has endured to this day, making this one of my favorite recipes. These copycat Auntie Anne’s pretzels are the best snack for game day or any day, and they are made with easy ingredients too.

Great Dips to Go with Your Auntie Anne’s Pretzel Recipe

This Auntie Anne’s pretzel recipe copycat can help you make your own basic buttery pretzels with salt or you can turn it into the iconic pretzel dessert of my dreams, the cinnamon-sugar pretzel.

They’re obviously incredible as-is, but if you really want to elevate your snacking, dips make them even more fun and tasty. Here’s a rundown of dips you can whip up to serve alongside your copycat mall soft pretzels:

• Cheese: Luscious, melty cheese sauce is without a doubt one of the best dips for a buttery, salted pretzel. All it takes is a little butter, flour, whole milk, shredded cheddar, and a pinch of salt to create this delightful dip. Want it spicy? Add a little hot salsa and voila!
• Honey Mustard: Some pantry staples can help you create a balanced honey mustard dip. Mayo, Dijon, and a little honey stirred together does the trick. Give it a taste and adjust as needed.
• Sweet Glaze: If you’re going to make these into Auntie Anne’s signature cinnamon-sugar pretzels, the sweet glaze is sure to send you into sugary bliss. Made with powdered sugar, butter, milk, and vanilla, you’ll be dunking in no time!
• Chocolate Sauce: Live it up by serving chocolate sauce with your cinnamon-sugar pretzel. Cheat and use heated hot fudge or melt down your own chocolate chips on a double boiler for liquid heaven. You can also do the same with caramel, or even better, dunk into both!
• Marinara Sauce: Once you get comfortable with this copycat recipe, you can turn your pretzel dough into little bites and bake them with pepperoni on top. Serve with marinara sauce for the perfect twist on pizza!

Auntie Anne’s Pretzel Recipe

We've uncovered the secret to making Auntie Anne's iconic soft pretzels at home! Our easy-to-follow recipe brings that amazing smell of fresh pretzels and taste of the mall favorite right into your kitchen. With simple ingredients and step-by-step instructions, you'll enjoy these warm, buttery, and perfectly salted pretzels in no time.

• Baking Mat

• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 package worth)
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
• 1 cup bread flour
• 3 cups flour
• 2 cups water
• 2 tablespoons baking soda
• pretzel salt
• 2 -4 tablespoons butter (melted)

1. Activate the yeast by sprinkling it over warm water (approximately 110°F to 115°F) in a large mixing bowl to ensure it's at the optimal temperature for activation. Stir until the yeast is fully dissolved. This step is crucial for the rise of your pretzels.

2. Incorporate sugar and salt into the yeast mixture by stirring until they dissolve completely. Gradually add flour to the bowl, mixing initially with a spoon or spatula until a dough forms. Transition to kneading the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 8 to 10 minutes, until it becomes smooth and elastic. This develops the gluten, which gives the pretzels their texture.

3. Allow the dough to rise by covering the bowl with a clean damp towel or plastic wrap and placing it in a warm, draft-free area. Let it rise until it doubles in size, which may take about 1 hour, to ensure a light and airy texture in your pretzels.

4. As the dough is rising, prepare the baking soda bath by mixing 2 cups of warm water with 2 tablespoons of baking soda in a shallow dish. Stir until the baking soda is mostly dissolved. This bath is essential for creating the pretzels' distinctive chewy texture and brown crust.

5. Once the dough has doubled in size, deflate it gently, then pinch off pieces to roll into long ropes, aiming for a thickness of about 1/2 inch or less. Shape the ropes into the classic pretzel shape or any design you prefer. This step allows for creativity in shaping your pretzels.

6. Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C) to ensure it's ready for baking. Dip each shaped pretzel into the soda solution for about 5-10 seconds, ensuring it is fully submerged. This step helps to develop the pretzels' unique flavor and color. Then, place the pretzels on a baking mat or parchment paper-lined baking sheet, leaving some space between them for expansion.

7. Allow the shaped and dipped pretzels to undergo a second rise, covering them loosely with a damp towel and letting them rest for about 30 minutes. This additional rise contributes to their fluffy texture.

8. Bake the pretzels in the preheated oven for about 10 minutes or until they turn a deep golden brown. Watch closely, as oven temperatures can vary, and the precise time may need adjustment.

9. Remove the pretzels from the oven and immediately brush them with melted butter while they are still hot. This step adds flavor and gives the pretzels a soft, shiny finish. Allow them to cool slightly on a wire rack before serving to enjoy their classic texture and taste.

Pretzel Toppings

1. After you brush with butter add pretzel salt on top.

2. Or for Auntie Anne's famous Cinnamon Sugar, try melting a stick of butter in a shallow bowl (big enough to fit the entire pretzel) and in another shallow bowl combine 1 cup of granulated sugar with 2 tablespoons of ground cinnamon.

3. Dip the pretzel into the butter, coating both sides generously. Then dip again into the cinnamon mixture.

Additional tip: The longer and thinner you can make the dough rope, the closer they will look like Auntie Anne’s type of pretzels.

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