Soft Pretzel Shapes

Join Rusty as he explores the German culture in New Ulm, Minnesota and learns to make soft pretzels.

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Ingredients

1 packet or 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
1 cup warm water (100 to 110 °F )
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons sugar

Equipment

Mixing bowl
Baking sheet
Measuring spoons
Measuring cup
Mixing spoon

Look and cook recipe

Step 1

Preheat oven to 425 °F. Lightly grease 2 baking sheets.

Step 2

In large bowl, sprinkle yeast over warm water. Stir until well blended.

a large bowl of flour with a small bowl of sugar and salt to the side and a spoon on the right side of the large bowl

Step 3

Combine sugar, salt and 2-1/2 to 3 cups flour to make a soft dough. Add more flour if it is too sticky.

hands mixing pretzel dough on a floured surface

Step 4

Put flour on a clean cutting board or counter. Place dough ball in the center.

smooth kneaded pretzel dough in a ball on a counter

Step 5

Knead 5 to 7 minutes until dough is smooth and elastic.

ball of dough being cut in half with a knife

Step 6

Cut dough into 12 even pieces (about golf-ball sized).

Step 7

Roll one piece of dough into 15 inch long rope.

hand crossing left side of dough rope to the middle of the rope to form a loop

Step 8

Cross left side over middle, creating loop.

Step 9

Fold right side over first loop to form pretzel shape.

Step 10

Place pretzels 3 inches apart on baking sheet.

Step 11

Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown.

close up of baked pretzels on a white plate

Step 12

The pretzels are best if eaten while still warm.

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Recipe video

For caregivers and curious kids

Fun facts

Map of Minnesota in maroon with Brown County in gold and Rusty the bee beside the state.

New Ulm is located in south-central Minnesota.

Woman and man dancing outside in German attire.

Some families in New Ulm have German heritage.

6 bratwursts on a plate over sauerkraut in a skillet on a placemat

Traditional German foods include sauerkraut, bratwust and schnitzel (a thin slice of meat).

New Ulm features a 45-foot-tall Glockenspiel, a musical clock that chimes throughout the day.

Photo credit: New Ulm Chamber

Learn more about New Ulm, Minnesota.

Table talk

What does the soft pretzel look like? How does it smell? How does it taste?
What other foods could you add to the soft pretzel?
What is something nice you can do for someone tomorrow?
Practice saying hello and good-bye in German:
- Hello is Hallo (pronounced hah-loh)
- Good-bye is Verabschiedung (pronounced ver-ab-schie-dung)

Tips for feeding children

Trying new foods can be an exciting adventure for kids! If your child is hesitant, here are three ways to make it fun:

Read about it: Share children's books about food to spark their curiosity and excitement.
Explore together: Encourage your child to touch, smell, and taste the new food. Start with small bites.
Get them involved: Let your child help prepare meals or snacks that include the new food—it’s fun and builds interest.

Connecting with nature

This activity helps preschoolers explore colors in nature:

Take your child outside to a park, backyard, or any natural area.
Bring along paint sample cards from a store or a set of crayons in different colors.
Ask your child to look for things in nature that match the colors on the paint samples or crayons.

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