Big Soft Pretzels

"We've toyed with the idea of introducing some kind of soft pretzel in our stores for quite a while, but when it comes to selecting products worthy of the Trader Joe's name, we take our mission seriously. So, after months of searching and sampling, we finally found the perfect German pretzel producer with years of pretzel-producing experience to produce the perfect Big Soft Pretzel, exclusively for us. Our supplier makes their dough in-house and from scratch, per a traditional, proprietary recipe. Before the Pretzels are baked, they're given a quick dip in a food-safe, sodium hydroxide solution (as true pretzels are); it's this well-timed, quick dip that gives them their chewy, golden-brown skin and alkalic, pretzel-y flavor. Trader Joe's Big Soft Pretzels come fully baked; simply thaw at room temperature or heat them in the oven per package instructions, sprinkle them with a bit of coarse salt, and serve! (Salt packet thoughtfully included-you're welcome.) Go big and enjoy these German softies with sausage, Trader Joe's Sauerkraut, and a frosty lager. Or, take a pretzel stand approach and serve alongside Queso, Organic Yellow Mustard, and Aioli Garlic Mustard Sauce. We're selling each 9.8-ounce bag of four Big Soft Pretzels for $2.49-which is about what you'd pay for one big, soft pretzel at a convenience store or pretzel stand. You'll find them in our freezers."