Jul 13 2026
Restaurants›Ernie's Midtown Pub›Giant Pretzel Recipe

Giant Pretzel Recipe

Inspired by Ernie's Midtown Pub
Time2h
Serves2

Dinner-sized, locally made pretzel. Served with spicy brown mustard.

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Ingredients

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Dough

Baking Soda Solution

Topping

Serving

Method

Dough Preparation

  1. 1

    Activate Yeast

    In a large mixing bowl, combine warm water (1.5 cups) and granulated sugar (1 tbs). Sprinkle active dry yeast (2.25 tsp) on top and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes foamy.

  2. 2

    Mix Dough

    Once the yeast is activated, add all-purpose flour (4 cups), salt (1 tbs), and melted unsalted butter (2 tbs) into the bowl. Mix until a dough forms.

  3. 3

    Knead Dough

    Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.

  4. 4

    First Rise

    Place the kneaded dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until it doubles in size.

Shaping & Boiling

  1. 5

    Preheat Oven

    Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

  2. 6

    Shape the Pretzel

    After the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into 2 equal portions. Roll each portion into a long rope (about 24 inches). Shape each rope into a pretzel form by making a U-shape, crossing the ends, and twisting them before pressing them down to secure.

  3. 7

    Prepare Baking Soda Solution

    In a large pot, bring 10 cups of water to a boil and add baking soda (0.5 cups) to the boiling water carefully.

  4. 8

    Boil Pretzels

    Gently place each pretzel into the boiling baking soda solution for about 30 seconds on each side. Remove with a slotted spoon and place them on the prepared baking sheet.

Baking

  1. 9

    Add Toppings

    Sprinkle coarse sea salt (2 tbs) over the boiled pretzels.

  2. 10

    Bake Pretzels

    Bake the pretzels in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until they are golden brown.

Serving

  1. 11

    Serve

    Allow the giant pretzel to cool slightly before serving with spicy brown mustard on the side.

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