Question ID: 1000-4573-0-3-7-10

Recipe Description

1 1/2 cups warm (110 to 115 degrees F) water 1 tablespoon sugar 2 teaspoons kosher salt 1 package active dry yeast 22 ounces all-purpose flour, approximately 4 1/2 cups 2 ounces unsalted butter, melted Vegetable oil, for pan 10 cups water 2/3 cup baking soda 1 large egg yolk beaten with 1 Tablespoon of cold water Course salt or pretzel salt

Add the kosher salt and the sugar to the warm water in the mixing bowl. Sprinkle the yeast on top and let it sit until it begins to foam, about 5 minutes. Add the flour and melted butter to the mixing bowl and begin to mix, using the dough hook, on low speed.

As the flour becomes incorporated increase the speed of the mixer slowly to high and knead the dough until it is smooth and elastic and it pulls away from the sides of the bowl. If the dough is sticky add more flour 1 Tablespoon at a time. This should take 4-5 minutes.

Once the dough is completely kneaded, smooth and elastic remove it from the bowl. Wipe out the bowl and coat it with a small amount of vegetable oil. Place the dough back in the bowl and turn it around to cover the dough with oil.

Cover the dough in the bowl with a piece of plastic wrap and let it rest in a warm place for 50-60 minutes or until the dough has doubled.

Dump out the dough on a lightly floured board and divide it into 8 equal pieces.

This is the fun step! Get the kids involved rolling, twisting and shaping the dough. First, roll each ball into a rope 24 inches long. Next, pick up one of the ropes, hold it at each end and make a "U" shape. Next, twist the two ends together in the middle of the sides of the "U." Bring the ends down to the bottom of the pretzel and stick them to the pretzel. You may have to arrange the dough a bit yourself to get the perfect pretzel shape! Place each pretzel on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper brushed with oil or a silicone baking mat.

While the pretzels hang out on the cookie sheet heat the oven to 450 degrees and get a large kettle of water boiling. Add the baking soda to the boiling water. Boiling the pretzels for a few minutes before baking them makes the outside smooth and shiny and the inside soft and chewy! The baking soda in the water will help them turn golden brown in the oven.

Carefully place the pretzels into the boiling water no more than one or two ar a time. Boil for 30 seconds, flip, then boil for 30 seconds more. Use a wide spatula with holes to flip and remove the pretzels from the boiling water. After they have boiled for a minute place them back on the sheet pan.