Delicious Soft Pretzels

I love soft pretzels! I used to buy them by the box for my kids, yep, I would buy them! These are the real deal. Served warm with sweet German mustard, cheese dip or pizza sauce they are hard to beat! They are easy to make, and also quick, so you could make them fresh for a party or for a game night. I hope you try them!

• 1 1/2 cups warm water
• 2 1/4 teaspoons yeast
• 1 Tablespoon sugar
• 1 Tablespoon melted butter
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 4 cups flour

For the baking soda bath:

• 10 cups water
• 1/2 cup baking soda

First place the warm water into your mixer bowl, add your yeast and the sugar. Mix it around then let it sit for about 5 minutes. When it has bloomed, add the rest of the ingredients using the dough hook, mix then knead for 5 minutes till you have a smooth dough. Place the dough in a greased bowl and let rest for 10 minutes.

Now get your baking soda water bath going. Use a very large pot because it will bubble up to the top of the pot. Bring the 10 cups of water and the 1/2 cup baking soda to a boil while you roll your pretzels.

Now preheat your oven to 350*

Take your dough and place it on a lightly floured surface. Form the dough into a rectangular log, as shown in the photo. Now cut that log in half lengthwise, then cut in half the opposite way, then cut each half into thirds. You will have 12 pieces when you are finished.

Now take 1 piece and roll to be about 20 inches long. Pick up both ends, twist them together about 3 times, then take each end and press one end on one side, then repeat with the other side. That will form your pretzel. Now do these 11 more times!

Place the pretzels 2 or 3 at a time into your boiling baking soda bath. Boil for 30 seconds, NO LONGER (they will take on a metalic taste if boiled longer). Use a slotted spoon the remove the pretzels from the soda bath. Place each one on your prepared baking sheets. 6 on 1, 6 on the other. As you take them out of the soda water and lay them on the baking sheet, sprinkle each pretzel with coarse salt.

Now place in your hot oven for about 10 minutes, do an additional minute or 2 if needed.

Now remove from the baking sheet and place on a cooling rack.

I have to admit, I went a little salt crazy on my pretzels, lol, I rubbed a lot of it off when they were done baking. That was much better! So, salt lightly!! LOL

Now grab a pretzel, slather it with sweet mustard and enjoy!