If there’s one cookie that perfectly balances sweet and salty, crunchy and tender, it has to be the Pretzel Shortbread. The first time I tried this treat, I was instantly hooked—the buttery shortbread combined with a subtle pretzel crunch, finished with a light chocolate drizzle, felt like a little bite of heaven. It’s the kind of cookie that makes you pause, savor, and maybe even go back for just one more.
Pretzel shortbread cookies aren’t just delicious; they’re fun to make. From rolling out the dough to dipping them in a pretzel wash, every step is a playful nod to traditional pretzel-making techniques. And the best part? They look as impressive as they taste, making them perfect for gifting, holiday baking, or simply enjoying with a cup of coffee or tea. This recipe is approachable for bakers of all levels, and the flavors are universally loved—sweet, salty, and satisfyingly buttery in every bite.
Recipe Overview
Pretzel Shortbread is a cookie that combines buttery shortbread dough with finely ground pretzels for crunch and flavor. Each cookie is brushed with a pretzel wash, topped with salt and optional sugar, baked until golden, and finished with a decadent chocolate drizzle. The result is a cookie that’s crisp on the edges, tender in the center, and bursting with flavor.
Ingredients & Instructions
Here’s everything you’ll need to create these irresistible cookies, along with tips for perfect results.
Pretzel Wash
- 2 1/4 cups water
- 2 tablespoons baking soda
Shortbread Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 6 tablespoons dark brown sugar, packed
- 4 tablespoons confectioners sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon Kosher or sea salt
- 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2/3 cups ground pretzels (about 1 1/2 cups whole mini pretzels)
Egg Wash
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon water
Garnish
- Coarse salt
- Coarse sugar (optional)
Chocolate Drizzle
- 3 ounces dark chocolate, chopped
- Coarse salt (optional)
- Coarse sugar (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Make the Pretzel Wash
Bring the water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Whisk in the baking soda until dissolved, then set aside to cool. This wash gives the cookies a pretzel-like flavor and helps create a golden crust.
2. Prepare the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter until light and fluffy. Add dark brown sugar, confectioners sugar, vanilla extract, and salt, mixing until smooth and well combined.
With the mixer on low, gradually beat in the flour and ground pretzels until the dough comes together. The mixture should hold its shape but remain soft and pliable.
3. Chill and Roll
Divide the dough in half and sandwich each portion between parchment paper. Roll the dough to about 1/4-inch thickness. Freeze the dough for 15 minutes to make cutting easier and prevent spreading during baking.
4. Cut the Cookies
Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Cut the frozen dough using your favorite cookie cutters, then place them on the prepared baking sheets. Freeze the cut cookies for 10 minutes to help them hold their shape.
5. Pretzel Wash Dip
Dip each frozen cookie in the pretzel wash, ensuring both sides are lightly coated. Return them to the baking sheets and freeze for an additional 10 minutes. This step intensifies the pretzel flavor and gives the cookies a signature golden hue.
6. Egg Wash & Garnish
Combine egg and water to make an egg wash, then lightly brush each cookie. Sprinkle with coarse salt and coarse sugar if desired. This final touch adds crunch and a perfect sweet-salty contrast.
7. Bake
Bake the cookies until burnished and golden brown, usually around 12–15 minutes depending on size. Let them cool on the baking sheets for 7 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
8. Chocolate Drizzle
Melt the dark chocolate in a microwave or double boiler. Drizzle over the cooled cookies with a spoon or piping bag. Optionally, sprinkle additional coarse salt or sugar for extra texture and flavor contrast. Allow the chocolate to set before serving.
Tip: For a festive look, drizzle in a zigzag pattern or make small clusters for a sophisticated touch.
Baking Tips & Variations
- Pretzel Crunch: For extra crunch, coarsely chop a few whole mini pretzels and sprinkle them over the cookies before baking.
- Flavor Twists: Add orange zest, espresso powder, or cinnamon to the dough for a subtle flavor boost.
- Chocolate Options: Milk or white chocolate works beautifully as a drizzle alternative.
- Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or freeze for longer storage.
Serving Suggestions
These Pretzel Shortbread cookies are perfect on their own, paired with coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. They also make an impressive addition to cookie platters, holiday gifts, or dessert tables. Serve slightly chilled for a refreshing treat or at room temperature for maximum buttery flavor.
Pretzel Shortbread is the ultimate balance of sweet, salty, and buttery indulgence. From the ground pretzel dough to the chocolate drizzle and coarse salt finish, each cookie is a textural and flavorful delight. Fun to make and even more fun to eat, this recipe is perfect for holiday baking, special occasions, or simply treating yourself. The result? A batch of cookies that are crisp, tender, and irresistibly satisfying in every bite.
With a little patience and creativity, these cookies will become a staple in your baking repertoire—a sweet, salty, and crunchy treat that’s sure to impress.
FAQs
1. Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! Dough can be wrapped and refrigerated for up to 2 days before cutting and baking.
2. Can I use pretzel sticks instead of mini pretzels?
Absolutely—just crush them finely for the ground pretzel mixture.
3. How do I store these cookies?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or freeze for up to 2 months.
4. Can I skip the chocolate drizzle?
Yes, the cookies are delicious on their own, but the chocolate adds a nice sweet contrast to the salty pretzel flavor.
5. Can I make them gluten-free?
Use a gluten-free flour blend and ensure the pretzels are gluten-free.
Pretzel Shortbread cookies are buttery, sweet, and perfectly salty with a crunchy pretzel base and chocolate drizzle. Easy, festive, and irresistible for any occasion.