🥨 Pretzel Sourdough Twist Bread

A sweet and savory sourdough bread wreath packed with cheddar and crunchy pretzels

If you love baking sourdough bread but want something a little more fun—and a lot more flavorful—this Pretzel Sourdough Twist Bread is the perfect recipe to try next. It starts with a lightly sweet sourdough dough enriched with honey and olive oil, giving it a soft, tender crumb. Then comes the savory magic: sharp cheddar cheese and crushed garlic‑and‑herb pretzels woven right into a beautiful twisted wreath.

The result is a sweet‑meets‑savory sourdough bread that’s soft on the inside, golden and crisp on the outside, and full of irresistible flavor. It’s the kind of bread that looks impressive on a table—perfect for holidays, parties, or weekend baking—but is surprisingly simple to shape.

This recipe is ideal for making one gorgeous twist loaf.

⭐ Why You’ll Love This Pretzel Sourdough Twist Bread

• Combines sweet sourdough dough with savory pretzels and cheese

• Uses simple ingredients you likely already have

• Shaped into a stunning wreath that looks bakery‑level

• Perfect for sharing, gifting, or serving as an appetizer

• A great way to use up extra sourdough starter
  

🥨 Pretzel Sourdough Twist Bread Recipe

🌾 Dough Ingredients

• Warm water — ¾ cup (180 g)

• Active sourdough starter — 125 g

• Olive oil — 3 Tbsp (45 g)

• Honey — 3 Tbsp + 1 tsp (60 g)

• Sea salt — 1½ tsp (9 g)

• Bread flour — 3 cups (360 g)

🧀 Filling Ingredients

• Shredded cheddar cheese — ⅓ cup

• Pretzels of choice — 2 cups, crushed

🥚 Egg Wash

• ½ egg (beat 1 egg and use half)

• ½ Tbsp water (7–8 g)

  
  

🍞 How to Make Garlic & Herb Pretzel Sourdough Twist Bread

1. Mix the Dough

In a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine warm water, sourdough starter, olive oil, honey, and salt. Gradually add the bread flour until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl. Mix for 5 minutes or knead by hand for about 7 minutes.

2. First Rise

Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let rise until doubled—usually 6–8 hours depending on temperature and starter activity.

3. Shape the Dough

Turn the dough onto a floured surface and stretch it into a 20" × 8" rectangle.

4. Prepare the Fillings

Whisk together the egg wash. Have your shredded cheddar and crushed pretzels ready.

5. Assemble

Brush the dough with egg wash. Sprinkle evenly with cheese and crushed pretzels.

6. Roll

Roll the dough lengthwise into a long, tight log.

7. Cut & Twist

Slice the log lengthwise, leaving the top 1 inch attached. Twist the two strands over each other, then bring the ends together to form a wreath. Pinch to seal.

8. Second Rise

Place the twisted wreath on a parchment‑lined baking sheet. Cover loosely and let rise for 1 hour.

9. Bake

Preheat the oven to 415°F. Brush lightly with egg wash and bake for about 25 minutes, until golden brown. Cool completely on a wire rack.

10. Slice & Enjoy

Cut into pieces and enjoy warm or at room temperature.