Soft Pretzels

Total Time: 2 hrs 15 mins Preparation Time: 2 hrs Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup warm water
• 1 (1/4 ounce) package active dry yeast
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups bread flour
• 2 tablespoons butter or 2 tablespoons margarine, melted
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup warm water
• 8 cups water
• 2 tablespoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• coarse salt

Recipe

• 1 put the 1/2 cup warm water and the yeast in the bowl of a mixer and let stand until the yeast is dissolved, which will take about 5 minutes.
• 2 add the flours, butter, sugar and salt, and mix on low speed while slowly adding the second 1/2 cup of warm water.
• 3 stir for one minute, adding more flour or water as needed to make a mosit dough, but not sticky.
• 4 knead with the dough hook until the dough is smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes.
• 5 move the dough to an oiled bowl and turn it once to coat with oil.
• 6 looosely cover the dough with plastic wrap and let stand for 1 to 1/2 hours until doubled in volume.
• 7 punch down the dough and divide into 12 pieces, and roll each piece into a ball on an unfloured work surface.
• 8 loosely cover with oiled plastic wrap and let sit for 10 minutes.
• 9 roll each ball into an 18 inch long rope, and twist into a pretzel shape (pull the rope into an oval, twist the ends, and pull the oval down over itself).
• 10 let the pretzels sit for 35 minutes.
• 11 boil the 8 cups of water and the baking soda, and reduce to a simmer.
• 12 putting in a few pretzels at a time, let the pretzels sit in the simmering water for 30 sceconds, then flip them, and keep them in for another 30 seconds.
• 13 sprinkle with salt, and put the pretzels in a preheated 400 degree oven.
• 14 bake until golden brown, about 15 minutes.
• 15 cool, and enjoy!