St. Louis-Style Soft Pretzels with Missouri Honey Glaze
Soft, chewy pretzels brushed with a sweet honey glaze, inspired by the playful energy of the City Museum's kid-friendly atmosphere. This american-inspired kid friendly ready in about 90 minutes pairs active dry yeast, warm water, all-purpose flour for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 145 calories and feeds 12, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
- 1 cup warm water
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp baking soda
- 1/4 cup Missouri honey
- 2 tbsp whole milk
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1 cup warm water and yeast; let sit for 5 minutes until bubbly. Add 2 tbsp sugar and 1 1/2 tsp salt, then stir in 3 1/2 cups flour until a shaggy dough forms.
- Step 2: Knead on a floured surface for 8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in a greased bowl, cover with a towel, and let rise for 1 hour until doubled.
- Step 3: Preheat oven to 425°F. Divide dough into 12 equal pieces, roll each into 12-inch ropes, and tie into pretzel shapes. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Step 4: Boil 2 cups water with baking soda for 1 minute. Dip each pretzel in the boiling water for 30 seconds, then return to baking sheet. Brush with honey-milk mixture (1/4 cup honey + 2 tbsp milk) and sprinkle with coarse salt.
- Step 5: Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden brown and firm to the touch, rotating halfway through.
Frequently asked questions
How long does St. Louis-Style Soft Pretzels with Missouri Honey Glaze take to make?
Total time is about 90 minutes (75 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover St. Louis-Style Soft Pretzels with Missouri Honey Glaze?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep active dry yeast from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in St. Louis-Style Soft Pretzels with Missouri Honey Glaze?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale St. Louis-Style Soft Pretzels with Missouri Honey Glaze for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 12 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 12). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with St. Louis-Style Soft Pretzels with Missouri Honey Glaze?
American kid friendly like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Perfect for a movie night with the family. The glaze is addictive.
- ★★★★★
St. Louis style is now my favorite. So soft and chewy!
- ★★★★★
My kids devoured these! The honey glaze was perfect.
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