Valentine’s Day Pretzels sound redundant. Let me explain. Pretzels, on their own, should already be de facto Valentine’s Day snack. Just think of it, they are pretty much heart-shaped, are they not?
So it’s not a stretch that when I thought about what perfect Valentine’s Day treats I should make for my family, I thought about pretzels.
And also because my first plan of making the usual chocolate-covered strawberries was thwarted by my grocery store running out of strawberries! Can you believe that?! How can they run out of strawberries?! The week of Valentine’s Day?!
I wasn’t going to be deterred by the lack of strawberries, however. I always make my family their Valentine’s Day treats, and this year shouldn’t be any different. It’s tradition.
And if you can’t find strawberries, you do the next best thing. You make Valentine’s Day Pretzels, which in hindsight should have been your first choice to begin with.
Oh, by the way, when I say Valentine’s Day treats for the family, that really means for the kids. Let’s be honest here, once you have kids, they ARE your Valentines, am I right?!
So… these cute heart-shaped soft pretzels are for my kids, aka my Valentines.
But, of course, they will share with their dad. They can’t possibly eat a whole tray by themselves.
But they get the best ones. The special ones with sprinkles.
Their dad gets the less exciting ones. The ones without sprinkles.
But guess what? They’re all good! So in the end everybody wins!
Besides, the husband actually prefers those plain pretzels. He’s not into sprinkles or anything sparkly all that much. Don’t even talk about unicorn food when he’s around, but that’s another story.
My favorite are these ones.
These Cinnamon Sugar Pretzels taste just like Auntie Anne’s!
Sweet Almond Pretzels
For those who like the combination of sweet and salty, these may be for you.
Happy Valentine’s Day to one and all!
- 1 cup milk
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1¼ cups bread flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ⅓ cup baking soda
- 4 cups water
- Honey butter sauce (1/4 cup melted butter mixed with ¼ cup honey)
- Cinnamon sugar (1/4 cup granulated sugar mixed with 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon)
- Roasted almonds, coarsely ground
- Sparkling sugar
- Kosher or Sea salt
- Heart-shaped sprinkles
- Warm milk until it reaches 110°F (or lukewarm to the touch). Pour into the bowl of your mixer.
- Add brown sugar, stir to dissolve, then sprinkle the yeast, stir again. Set aside for about 5 minutes to let yeast bloom.
- Add melted butter, salt, and the rest of the flour.
- Stir slowly at first, using the dough attachment, to incorporate all ingredients. Then turn up the speed and continue to mix for 5 minutes, or until dough pulls away from the sides of bowl. Dough should be smooth but slightly sticky.
- Scrape dough into a bowl that’s been oiled or buttered. Cover with plastic wrap then place in a warm spot.
- After dough doubles in size (about 1 hour), punch it down lightly to deflate, then turn out onto floured surface and divide into 15 equal portions for small-sized pretzels.
- Roll each portion into a long and thin rope, about 24-inch in length, then shape as desired (either into a simple heart or a pretzel shape.)
- Meanwhile, heat oven to 400°F, and prepare the baking soda bath by boiling water and baking soda in a deep pot (I prefer using a deep pot because this solution has the tendency to bubble and spray droplets of soda water all over the place.)
- Drop pretzels one at a time into boiling water, boil for 5-10 seconds, flip and boil for another 5-10 seconds, then remove with a slotted spatula.
- Drain pretzels on paper towels to remove excess water, then place on a baking sheet that’s been lined with parchment paper. If pretzels unravel or become misshapen in the bath, reshape while placing on the baking sheet.
- Bake for 10 - 12 minutes, or until they’re deep golden brown.
- While still hot, brush with the honey butter sauce, then sprinkle with desired toppings.
These pretzels are partying with:
Baking Crumbs
Cook Blog Share
Cook Once Eat Twice
What’s for Dinner?
Pretty Pintastic Party
Creative Muster Party
Saturday Sparks
Life Diet Health says
February 10, 2019 at 4:43 pmAngie how did you get such perfect shapes!? ?We’ve only recently started making pretzels (you can’t imagine how quickly they disappear)! Yours look absolutely perfect! Happy Valentines! ?
Angie says
February 10, 2019 at 4:48 pmThey’re not that hard to make or shape, honestly. Just make sure you make the dough ropes long enough. These are pretty easy and quick to make. Can’t recommend them enough, seriously. Happy Valentine’s Day to you, too <3
Lizet says
February 10, 2019 at 5:56 pmNow, this is my love language! ??
I was introduced to soft pretzels on my first trip to the US. And fell in love with them. Sweet or savory. I love them both.
My family likes them, but they don’t love them as I do, so I end up eating way too many.
But Valentine’s Day sounds like a perfect time to have a few, right?
Great recipe Angie.
Angie says
February 10, 2019 at 6:28 pmDefinitely! It’d be the perfect time to indulge in a few pretzels ? These are on the small side so you can have several. I’m pretty sure your family will like them; you may end up converting them to pretzel lovers ? Thanks, Lizet!
Jacqui says
February 11, 2019 at 11:24 amWhat a fabulous idea I love the look of these heart shaped pretzels. But i’m with your other half you can keep the sprinkles and all thing unicorn. 😉 Thank you for linking to #CookBlogShare
Angie says
February 11, 2019 at 6:13 pmThanks, Jacqui! I’m in a bit of a conundrum. My daughter loves everything cutesy, of course, but the husband rolls his eyes at what he calls “unserious” food ?
Kelly | Foodtasia says
February 11, 2019 at 12:24 pmThese pretzels are so cute! I never noticed but you’re right – they are heart shaped! Love all the flavors you shared 🙂
Angie says
February 11, 2019 at 6:07 pmThanks, Kelly! My husband, on the other hand, thinks they look like aliens, lol ?
Kat @ Kat's 9 Lives says
February 11, 2019 at 1:07 pmI am sure your kids and your husband loved these valentines treats! They look great!
Angie says
February 11, 2019 at 5:58 pmThey sure did. My husband said they’re better than the ones from Philly Pretzel Factory. I think he meant it, too ?? Thanks, Kat!
Monika Dabrowski says
February 11, 2019 at 4:01 pmWow, these look so gorgeous, so nicely shaped and such a creative valentines day idea! Pinned!
Angie says
February 11, 2019 at 5:52 pmThanks, Monika! They were fun to make, too!
Rita says
February 11, 2019 at 4:42 pmWhat a unique pretzel idea. Like the pink touch!
Happy Valentine’s Day ! Sharing and Pinning.
Thanks for Fiesta Friday.
Angie says
February 11, 2019 at 5:50 pmThanks, Rita! Happy Valentine’s Day to you, too ?
Petra says
February 11, 2019 at 5:01 pmThis is a serious treat! You always inspire me but this time I actually wish I could celebrate Valentines at yours! Ah, don’t worry I am not a stalker I promise but the thought of a pretzel with honey butter and sea salt sounds absolutely divine! Happy Valentine 🙂 x
Angie says
February 11, 2019 at 5:49 pmThanks, Petra! I thought it was I who wanted to stalk your pop up restaurant, lol. If only we lived in the same continent ? But I’m sure you can easily make these pretzels; they’re really not hard at all to put together.
Jhuls | The Not So Creative Cook says
February 12, 2019 at 1:43 amI wonder what shape I’ll come up with when I make these, lol! You are a pro at everything! These are shaped perfectly, Angie, and I am absolutely sure that everything is yummy. I’ll take one of each, but since I love the combination of sweet and salty, I’ll take more. 😛 Thank you for sharing these gorgeous treats with us! Happy Valentine’s Day!
Angie says
February 12, 2019 at 7:42 amOh you’re too modest, Jhuls. I’m sure you’ll make perfectly shaped pretzels. Or you can just make them into sticks/batons. I do that sometimes and nobody complains ? Thanks for cohosting with me! ??
Corina Blum says
February 12, 2019 at 5:06 amMy kids would also get the cute ones with the sprinkles! They are just gorgeous for valentine’s Day! Thanks for sharing with #CookOnceEatTwice and happy valentines day!
Angie says
February 12, 2019 at 7:38 amKids these days! They get everything they want, lol. Thanks, Corina! ?
Jo Allison / Jo's Kitchen Larder says
February 13, 2019 at 3:15 pmOh wow Angie, these are the bee’s knees! I do have a soft spot for soft pretzels and used to frequent Auntie Anne’s during my student days in the US. I love the fact that you really went to town with all the toppings plus they all look so so pretty and I’m so with you on the whole heart shaped thing! Thank you for bringing this beauties to #BakingCrumbs 🙂 I’m so chuffed you finally managed to link up! 🙂 Oh yeah and Happy Valentine’s Day for tomorrow! x
Angie says
February 13, 2019 at 5:30 pmIt’s taken me long enough to join your party! Funny that I actually wrote a post a couple months ago specifically for #BakingCrumbs but didn’t get to publish. I’ll need to dust it off and hopefully I’ll have it ready for the next #BakingCrumbs party. So glad you like these pretzels. They’re pretty easy; give them a try!
jenny walters says
February 16, 2019 at 2:09 amHey Angie! Thank you so much for linking to #BakingCrumbs. I blinkin love these! They are properly gorgeous! I have never made Pretzels but am feeling inspired! You are so right your kids are your Valentines and I love the idea of making them valentine treats. I am going to hastily adopt your family tradition! Happy Valentines!!xx
Angie says
February 16, 2019 at 10:26 amI’m so glad I can join #BakingCrumbs, finally! It’s taken me long enough. I’m so pleased you like these pretzels, thanks! They’re pretty easy to make, and your Valentines aka children would love them ?Hope you had a great Valentine’s Day ?
Rebecca says
February 16, 2019 at 11:30 amNever tried making pretzels, I wonder if I can make these gluten free for my daughter? I’ll let you know if I succeed #BakingCrumbs
Angie says
February 16, 2019 at 2:45 pmI’m pretty sure you can use gluten free flour to make soft pretzels. Texture and taste will probably differ, but that doesn’t mean they won’t be as good. Found this recipe for you if you want to give it a try. https://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/gluten-free-soft-pretzels-recipe
Helen at the Lazy Gastronome says
February 17, 2019 at 9:49 amWhat a great idea!! Thanks for sharing at the What’s for Dinner party. Can’t wait to see what you’ll bring this week!