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.

Ingredients

Scale

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

Instructions

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Bake Pretzels: Bake in the preheated oven for 22 to 25 minutes, until pretzels turn a deep golden brown and look set.
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