The Secret Ingredient In Auntie Anne's Pretzel Dough Is Likely This

You first smell it when you turn the corner at the mall. It's not the overpowering cologne of Abercrombie or the sugary aroma of Cinnabon — rather, it's a doughy, buttery scent that only means one thing: There's an Auntie Anne's nearby. If you've ever taken a much-needed shopping break for a bite at the blue and white kiosk, you know just how addictive the fluffy soft pretzels are. According to Auntie Anne's, it has been making its iconic treats since 1988 and now has over 1,800 locations in malls across the country.

Auntie Anne's has never released the full ingredient list for its pretzels but that hasn't stopped fans from spending years trying to replicate the recipe. Some have come close, but there's no denying that the real Auntie Anne's still reigns supreme. What makes the soft pretzels so addictive? There may be a secret ingredient. Here's what many speculate is mixed into the soft pretzels we all know and love.  

Despite the fact that an Auntie Anne's soft pretzel is more salty than sweet, it may not be those chunks of sea salt sprinkled on top or the buttery glaze that gives them that mouthwatering flavor. Rather, the secret ingredient in Auntie Anne's pretzels is likely sugar. In trying to recreate the recipe at home, The Daily Meal says they believe the key to the perfect pretzel is a dash of sugar, specifically confectioner's sugar. That makes sense given that Auntie Anne's pretzels taste slightly sweeter than other soft pretzels.

Aside from speculation, however, we don't know for sure what exactly is inside an Auntie Anne's pretzel. It remains a closely-kept secret at the company, although back in 2008, founder Anne Beiler told The Washington Post that her husband was the one that first added the mystery ingredient to the recipe.