Oktoberfest is a celebration of some of our favorite fall flavors – craft beer, grilled sausage, and buttery pretzels (like our food gift this month). But if making homemade pretzels has you in knots, we’ve got you covered. Follow this easy three-step technique:

1. Let the dough come to room temp or it will be like rubber—hard to stretch. Roll each piece into a 16-inch-long rope.

2. Form each rope into a U-shape on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Paper keeps the dough from sticking to the pan.

3. Crisscross ends, folding or twisting each end diagonally. Tuck ends under dough to form a classic pretzel shape.

Voila! You’re ready to host your own backyard beer-garden party! Get more of our Bavarian-inspired recipes, and don’t forget to pick up some outstanding Southern brews to wash it down.

Illustrations by Ryan Kelly