Soft Pretzels... not the one's from the mall!

I can't help it but when I go to the mall and I walk by one of those pretzel stands the wafting smell of butter and dough just sucks me in!  Anyone else know what I'm talking about?  

Well, here's a super simple recipe... if you wanna call it that... for some soft pretzels that are a little bit healthier for you cause they aren't dipped in that vat of "melted butter by product" and just a good ol' soft pretzel.  It's a process but well worth it. 

I happen to be a fan of them with some spicy brown mustard! :) 

Soft Pretzels

1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1 1/8 teaspoons salt

1 1/2 cups warm water -(NOT HOT)

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup bread flour

2 cups warm water 

2 tablespoons baking soda

2 tablespoons butter, melted

2 tablespoons coarse kosher salt

In a large mixing bowl, dissolve the yeast, brown sugar and salt in 1 1/2 cups warm water. Stir in flour, and knead dough on a floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, and turn to coat the surface. Cover, and let rise for one hour.

  

Combine 2 cups warm water and baking soda in an pot.

  

After dough has risen, cut into 12 pieces. Roll each piece into a 3 foot rope, pencil thin or thinner. It will puff up! Twist into a pretzel shape... I realize that this is a lot easier said than done!  It's not that hard once you get the hang of it though... and you can even make little pretzel bites or twists... the shape doesn't matter too much! It's the taste!  Once you've made the shape that you want... dip into the baking soda solution.  It will puff up and expand.  Remove and place on parchment covered cookie sheets, and let rise 15 to 20 minutes.

Bake at 450 for 8 to 10 minutes, or until golden brown. Brush with melted butter or eat plain...  and sprinkle with coarse salt, garlic salt , cinnamon sugar, poppy seeds or sesame seeds... it's endless the toppings you can put on them!  Just go to the mall for some inspiration~! 

        

         


**sidenote**



         

When forming the ropes, roll each one to about half the length you want, then set it aside while you roll the rest. By the time you get back to the first rope, it will have rested enough to roll further