The BEST Homemade Soft Prestzels

Ok, I am Emma and I am addicted to soft pretzels.  Like the ones from Auntie Annes at the mall are seriously a little piece of heaven, all warm and buttery.  These are seriously JUST AS GOOD!  Being able to make these at home is dangerous, because at home there is no cashier there to judge you when you eat two! haha

(they're also fun to make in bite size pieces!)

[What you need]

1 packet dry active yeast

1 cup warm water

1 teaspoon sugar

2 tablespoons butter, melted

1 teaspoon salt

2.5-3 cups (possibly more) all purpose flour

2 cups water

4 tablespoons baking soda

course salt for topping

6 tablespoons butter, melted

[What to do]

Preheat your oven to 475.  Spray one (or two, depending on how big they are) baking sheets with cooking spray and set aside.

In your stand mixer, add your sugar and warm water and mix for a minute until most of the sugar is dissolved.  Add in your yeast and mix a few time.  Let it sit for about 5 minutes until it is frothy.  Turn your mixer on low and add 1 cup of flour.  Mix until it is combined.  

Add in the 2 tablespoons melted butter and 1 teaspoon salt.  While the mixer is on medium-low speed, continue to add in flour until the dough forms a ball and no longer sticks to the sides.  This will be about a total of 2.5-3 cups.  

Remove the dough and knead on a lightly floured surface for 5 minutes.  At this point it should no longer be sticky.  Set it back into the bowl and let sit for 15 minutes.  While the dough is resting, bring the 2 cups of water to a boil with the 4 tablespoons of baking soda.  When the baking soda is dissolved in the water, remove from heat and pour it into a 9x9 inch pan.  Let it cool so it is a luke warm.

By this time the dough should be done resting.  Cut it like a pizza into 8 pieces.  Working one piece at a time, roll out the dough into a long rope and either form into a pretzel shape or cut into bite size pieces.  Place the pretzel into the baking soda bath and let sit for about 2-3 minutes.  Remove from the bath and transfer to your prepared baking sheet.  Sprinkle with course salt.  Continue this process until all 8 pretzels are made.

Bake for 8-9 minutes until golden brown.  Watch them closely! When they come out of the oven, generously brush them with the melted butter.  They are best enjoyed straight out of the oven!  But will keep fresh in a ziploc bag for a few days (as if they will last that long without being eaten!)