Soft Pretzels

Ingredients
Makes 12 pretzels or many pretzel sticks

• 1 1/2 cups warm water
• 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
• 2 1/2 cups unbleached bread flour
• 2 cups unbleached all purpose flour
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 2 tsp salt
• 4 tbsp melted unsalted butter
• 10 cups water
• 1/2 cup baking soda
• 1 egg,  lightly beaten
• 1 tbsp water
• coarse salt(optional)

Method

1. In the bowl of a stand mixer, stir the yeast into warm water until dissolved.
2. Add flour, sugar, salt, butter, and begin to mix with dough hook attachment on low speed until ingredients are combined.
3. Turn up the mixer to medium speed and work until the dough is smooth.
4. Let the dough rest for 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
5. Divide the dough into 12 pieces.
6. Roll each piece into a rope about 15" to 16" long.
7. Holding one end of the rope with each hand, cross the strands to make a loop.
8. Lay the looped dough on the work surface, so the bottom of the loop is closest to you, then cross the strands once more to create an additional twist.
9. Rest the extra strands of the rope on the loop so a small nub of dough overhangs slightly.
10. Preheat the oven to 450ºF.
11. Dip each pretzel into the baking soda solution to thoroughly coat it, about 30 seconds, then put it on a sheet pan with parchment paper.
12. Brush with egg wash and sprinkle with coarse salt. ( I skipped the salt for low sodium diet.)
13. Bake for about 8 minutes, then rotate the pan and bake for another 4 minutes, until the pretzels are golden brown. 
14. Once the pretzels are removed from the oven, dip them in melted butter and coat with your favorite flavors. 

Recipe adapted from Heather Christo