
Few things hit quite like a freshly baked pretzel bun — that deep mahogany crust, the chewy pull, the satisfying crunch of coarse salt on top. These are made entirely from pantry staples like all-purpose flour, butter, yeast, and eggs, with no specialty flours or additives that could sneak in unwanted ingredients. The real magic here is the baked baking soda bath, which cranks up the alkalinity to give you that authentic pretzel flavor and dark, glossy crust without any complicated chemistry. Shaping each piece into a tight, smooth ball and letting it rest before the boil means you get that satisfying domed top and even texture all the way through. The egg wash and a generous scatter of coarse salt before baking seal the deal on both looks and flavor. Serve them warm alongside a bowl of soup, pile on your favorite sandwich fillings, or honestly just eat one plain off the rack — they're that good.
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Spread the baking soda in a thin layer on a foil-lined baking sheet and bake at 250°F (120°C) for 1 hour, then let cool completely. Baked baking soda is significantly more alkaline than raw baking soda and produces a deeper pretzel crust and flavor. Store any unused portion in an airtight container.
Combine the warm water, yeast, and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer and let stand for 5 minutes, until foamy and fragrant.
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