How to Use Lye for Pretzels

Lye is a chemical alkaline substance that is used to make certain household foods as well as soap. Early American pioneers made lye by burning wood and then soaking the ashes in barrels and collecting the substance that leaked out the bottoms. When making pretzels, the lye solution that the pretzels are dipped into is what gives the pretzels that light brown, smooth surface texture with a slight crunch.

• 1

  Mix 4 cups all-purpose flour, 12 ounces of water, 2 teaspoons dry yeast and 2 teaspoons kosher salt in a large bowl with your hands. Continue kneading the mixture until you get a smooth elastic dough texture.

• 2

  Cover the bowl with a towel and allow the mixture to rise about two to four hours. The dough will double in size.

• 3

  Beat down the dough manually with your fists to release the gas and to redistribute the yeast.

• 4

  Separate the dough into roughly 3-ounce portions. You can separate the dough with your hands, a knife or even a pizza cutter.

• 5

  Turn on your oven and preheat it to a temperature of 425 degrees.

• 6

  Roll each portion into a 10-inch cylindrical shape. You can do this by rolling the dough between the palms of your hands and a clean counter top. Cover the dough with a towel, and set aside for approximately 10 minutes.

• 7

  Make your lye solution by mixing 4 teaspoons food grade lye with 1 quart of water in an 8-quart stockpot. Mix the solution with a wide and slotted spatula and begin heating over medium heat.

• 8

  Coat two non-aluminum baking sheets with 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil on each one.

• 9

  Roll the dough cylinders, with your hands, into 25-inch pieces and shape the pretzels however you wish. The dough will double in size as it bakes.

• 10

  Check to see whether the lye solution is hot. It should be just below a simmer when dipping the pretzels.

• 11

  Dip each pretzel individually, with the spatula, into the lye solution for approximately 10 to 15 seconds and then place them onto the baking sheets.

• 12

  Sprinkle course sea salt over the pretzels. This step is optional and you can increase or decrease the amount of salt to your individual taste.

• 13

  Bake the pretzels for 12 to 15 minutes. They will be a light golden brown when done.