Honey Butter Soft Pretzel Candy Canes Recipe

Introduction

These Honey Butter Soft Pretzel Candy Canes are a festive twist on a classic snack, perfect for holiday gatherings or cozy winter treats. Soft, chewy pretzels shaped like candy canes get a sweet glaze of honey butter that keeps them irresistibly delicious.

Ingredients

• 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) instant yeast
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 3/4 cups warm water
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 stick salted butter, at room temperature or melted
• 1 egg yolk, beaten with 1 tablespoon water (for brushing pretzels before baking)
• 1/4 cup baking soda (for boiling)
• Pretzel salt, for sprinkling
• 6 tablespoons salted butter, melted (for honey butter glaze)
• 3 tablespoons honey (for honey butter glaze)

Instructions

1. Step 1: In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the flour, yeast, and salt. Add the warm water, honey, and butter. Using the dough hook, mix until the flour is fully incorporated, about 4-5 minutes. If the dough is sticky, add flour 1/4 cup at a time. Cover with plastic wrap and let rest at room temperature for 15 minutes up to 1 hour.
2. Step 2: Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
3. Step 3: Punch down the dough and divide in half. Divide each half into 8 pieces. On a lightly floured surface, roll each piece into an 8-12 inch rope. Twist two ropes together and shape into a candy cane. Place on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining dough. Cover and let the pretzels rise for 15 minutes until puffy.
4. Step 4: Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add the baking soda. Lower 2 pretzels at a time into the boiling water. Boil for 3 minutes, then remove with a slotted spoon, allowing excess water to drain. Transfer pretzels back to the parchment-lined baking sheet. Reshape into candy canes if needed.
5. Step 5: Brush each pretzel with the beaten egg yolk mixture and sprinkle with pretzel salt. Bake for 22-25 minutes, or until golden brown.
6. Step 6: While baking, mix the melted butter and honey to make the honey butter glaze. Remove pretzels from the oven and brush generously with the honey butter. Bake for an additional 1-2 minutes to set the glaze. Serve warm.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, try adding cinnamon or a pinch of cayenne to the honey butter glaze.
• If you don’t have pretzel salt, coarse sea salt or flaky salt works well as a substitute.
• Use room temperature water to avoid killing the yeast and ensure proper rising.
• To make smaller pretzels, divide the dough into more pieces and adjust boiling and baking times accordingly.

Storage

Store leftover pretzels in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To reheat, warm them in a 350°F oven for about 5 minutes to restore softness. Avoid microwaving as it can make them tough.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, the dough can be prepared and refrigerated overnight. Let it come to room temperature and rise slightly before shaping and baking.

What if I don’t have a stand mixer?

You can mix and knead the dough by hand. It may take about 8-10 minutes of kneading until the dough is smooth and elastic.

Honey Butter Soft Pretzel Candy Canes Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 132 reviews

• Author: Ben
• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 16 pretzel candy canes 1x

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Description

These Honey Butter Soft Pretzel Candy Canes combine the classic chewiness of soft pretzels with a festive candy cane shape, brushed with a sweet and buttery honey glaze. Perfect for holiday gatherings or cozy treats, these pretzels are boiled for the perfect texture, baked until golden, and finished with a luscious honey butter for a delightful flavor and soft bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dough

• 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) instant yeast
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 3/4 cups warm water
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 stick (8 tablespoons) salted butter, at room temperature or melted

For Boiling

• 1/4 cup baking soda

For Brushing and Topping

• 1 egg yolk, beaten with 1 tablespoon water (for brushing onto pretzels before baking)
• Pretzel salt, for sprinkling
• 6 tablespoons salted butter, melted
• 3 tablespoons honey

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Instructions

1. Make the Dough: In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the flour, instant yeast, and salt. Add the warm water, honey, and butter. Using the dough hook attachment, mix until the flour is fully incorporated and the dough is smooth, about 4 to 5 minutes. If the dough feels sticky, add flour 1/4 cup at a time until manageable. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rest at room temperature for 15 minutes up to 1 hour to ferment.
2. Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ease transfer.
3. Shape the Pretzels: Punch down the dough to release air. Divide the dough in half, then further divide each half into 8 equal pieces, totaling 16 pieces. On a lightly floured surface, roll each piece into ropes roughly 8 to 12 inches long. Take two ropes and twist them tightly around each other, then form the twisted rope into a candy cane shape. Place shaped pretzels on the prepared baking sheets. Cover lightly and let them rise for 15 minutes until puffy.
4. Boil the Pretzels: Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil and add the baking soda. Carefully lower two pretzels at a time into the boiling water and boil for 3 minutes. This step gives the pretzels their characteristic chewy crust. Using a slotted spoon, remove the pretzels and let excess water drain off. Transfer the boiled pretzels back onto the parchment-lined baking sheets.
5. Brush and Salt: If needed, gently reshape pretzels into candy cane form after boiling. Brush each pretzel with the beaten egg yolk wash to encourage a golden brown finish. Sprinkle pretzel salt generously over each one.
6. Bake Pretzels: Bake in the preheated oven for 22 to 25 minutes, until pretzels turn a deep golden brown and look set.
7. Prepare Honey Butter and Finish: While pretzels bake, whisk together the melted butter and honey in a small bowl. Once pretzels are done baking, remove from oven and immediately brush the warm pretzels with the honey butter mixture. Return pretzels to the oven for an additional 1 to 2 minutes to set the glaze. Serve the soft, warm honey butter pretzels immediately for the best texture and flavor.

Notes

• Boiling pretzels in baking soda water is essential for that classic pretzel texture and flavor.
• Ensure the dough is not too sticky before shaping to make handling easier; add small amounts of flour if necessary.
• Use parchment paper to prevent sticking during boiling and baking.
• The honey butter glaze adds a sweet finishing touch but can be omitted for a more traditional savory pretzel.
• Can be kept warm in a low oven before serving, but best eaten fresh.
• Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days and reheat before serving.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Snack
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: soft pretzels, honey butter pretzels, holiday pretzels, candy cane pretzels, homemade pretzels, festive snacks