Pretzels

Yields 12 Pretzels. Time: 1 1/2 – 2 Hours

Ingredients

  • 1 Packet Active Dry Yeast
  • 1 1/2 Cups Warm Water (Lukewarm)
  • 1 Teaspoon Salt
  • 2 Tablespoon Brown or White Sugar (You can add both too)
  • 1 Tablespoon Butter (Melted) for Dough
    • Optional 4 Tablespoons Butter (Melted) for brushing before Baking or Egg Wash
  • 3 3/4 – 4 Cups AP Flour (May use Less or More; Plus Some for Worksurface)
  • Coarse Sea Salt for Sprinkling

Baking Soda Bath

  • 1/4 Cup Baking Soda
  • 5 Cups Water

Directions

  1. In a Large Bowl Whisk Yeast with Water and let bloom for 5 Minutes.
  2. Whisk in Sugar, Butter, and Salt. Then mix in flour till dough is smooth and slightly tacky. Let dough rest and rise for 1 hour. (For an easier option use a Stand Mixer with dough hook).
  3. After 1 hour; Punch Down dough and Knead dough for 10 Minutes. Form dough into a ball. Let Dough relax for another 10 minutes before cutting.
  4. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. (If your oven runs on the hotter side; I suggest to Lower the Temperature).
  5. Cut dough into 12 equal pieces. Roll a piece into a rope and form into Pretzels or cut rope into Bite-Sized Pieces for Pretzel Bites.
  6. For Baking Soda Bath (Makes Pretzels Chewy):
    1. Add water to a wide-mouth pot and bring to a boil and then add Baking Soda.
    2. Place pretzels in a few at a time for 1 minute and remove and place on a parchment paper lined sheet tray.
    3. If you want to skip this step this will make your pretzel on the crispier side and a little dense.
  7. After the Baking Soda bath sprinkle salt on top. (Optional: Brush with Melted Butter before sprinkling salt on)
  8. Bake until Golden Brown or desired color.
  9. Enjoy!