Soft Brioche Pretzels (Made with Love + a Little Help From My Daughter)

Homemade | Kid-Approved | Naturally Sweetened Option

Let me tell you how this recipe came to be.

One day while grocery shopping, my daughter spotted a bag of soft pretzels in the freezer section and lit up with excitement. That sparkle in her eyes dimmed real quick once we turned the package over and saw a list of ingredients we just couldn’t bring home. It’s a familiar story around here—she wants something, but her sensitive system can’t handle all the extras packed into store-bought foods.

So I promised her we’d make our own.

I dusted off a brioche bread recipe I had tucked away—rich, buttery, and slightly sweet—and decided to try it out in pretzel form. And y’all… it worked like magic.

She helped me roll the dough into long ropes and shape them into twists and hearts and whatever else came to mind. We laughed, made a floury mess, and the end result? Warm, golden soft pretzels with a glossy crust, fluffy center, and that buttery honey drizzle she now asks for by name.

This recipe is now a favorite in our home, and I hope it becomes one in yours too.

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Homemade Brioche Pretzels (Soft + Buttery)

Makes: About 8–10 medium pretzels

Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus rising)

Bake Time: 12–15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup warm water or milk (around 110°F)

• 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 standard packet)

• 2 tbsp sugar (or honey for a natural option)

• 2 additional tbsp sugar or honey (optional, for sweeter brioche-style dough)

• 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour (plus extra as needed)

• 1 ½ tsp salt

• 4 to 8 tbsp unsalted butter (start with 4 for a lighter dough; use 8 for richness)

• 2 large eggs (room temperature)

• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)

• Coarse salt + sesame seeds (for topping)

• Honey + melted butter (for brushing after baking)

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Instructions:

1. Activate the Yeast

In a large bowl or the bowl of your stand mixer, combine warm milk or water with the yeast and 2 tablespoons of sugar or honey. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until it starts to foam. That’s how you know it’s alive and ready.

2. Mix the Dough

Add in your eggs, butter (softened or melted), salt, the remaining sugar/honey (if using), and flour. Mix until a dough forms. Knead by hand for 8–10 minutes, or with a dough hook for 6–8 minutes, until smooth and slightly tacky.

3. Let it Rise

Cover with a clean towel and let rise in a warm place for 1 to 1½ hours, until doubled in size.

4. Shape Your Pretzels

Punch the dough down, divide into 8–10 pieces, and roll each piece into a long rope. Twist into pretzel shapes or get creative—this part is great for little hands to help with!

5. Second Rise (Optional but Recommended)

Place shaped pretzels on a parchment-lined baking sheet and let rest for another 15–20 minutes. This helps them puff up just a bit more before baking.

6. Egg Wash + Toppings

Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C). Brush each pretzel with the beaten egg and sprinkle generously with coarse salt and sesame seeds.

7. Bake

Bake for 12–15 minutes or until golden brown and firm to the touch.

8. Glaze with Love

Right out of the oven, mix together melted butter with a drizzle of honey and brush it over the warm pretzels for that irresistible finish.

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Tips + Notes:

• You can freeze the shaped pretzels before baking. Just let them thaw and rise before baking later.

• For a fun flavor twist, try adding cinnamon sugar on top instead of salt, or dipping the baked pretzels in chocolate.

• The brioche dough is softer and richer than traditional pretzels, which gives them a more indulgent texture—don’t skip the butter!

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Why We Love It:

It’s not just the taste (although they’re delicious). It’s the process. The memory-making. The way my daughter now associates pretzels not with a store-bought snack but with home, with time spent together, with the smell of warm dough baking in the oven.

And that’s what Naava’s Nourishing Garden is all about—bringing nourishment to the table in every form.

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Tag us @naavasnourishinggarden when you make these! We’d love to see your soft pretzel creations and hear who you’re making them with.

Disclaimer:

I am not a doctor, nutritionist, or medical professional. The information shared in this post is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making any changes to your diet, health routine, or using herbal remedies.

Additionally, this post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through them. I only recommend products I personally use and love. Thank you for supporting Naava’s Nourishing Garden!