Soft Pretzels

I went on a quest to find a good homemade recipe after having the most delicious homemade pretzel at "Jo Jo's Pretzels" in Shipshewana, IN. This one is pretty good.

SOFT PRETZELS

(makes 8)

Ingredients:

*1 1/2 cups warm water

*1 tablespoon sugar

*2 teaspoons kosher salt

*2 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast

*4 1/2 cups flour

*4 tablespoon butter, melted

*2 1/2 quarts water

*2/3 cup baking soda

*1 large egg yolk beaten

*1 tablespoon water

*1/8 cup kosher salt or pretzel salt for topping

Directions:

~In a small bowl, combine water, sugar & salt.

~Sprinkle yeast over water.

~Let sit for 10 minutes to allow yeast to proof.

~Put flour into a large bowl.

~Make a well in the center.

~Add melted butter & yeast mixture.

~Mix to form dough.

~Knead dough on a lightly floured surface until smooth, or use the dough hook on your mixer.

~Lightly oil a large bowl.

~Place pretzel dough in bowl & turn to coat.

~Cover with a clean damp cloth or plastic wrap and let rise in a warm draft free area until doubled in size (about 1 hour)

~Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

~Line to baking pans with parchment paper and spay with a cooking spray.

~Bring 2 1/2 quarts water & baking soda to a rolling boil in a large pot.

~While you are waiting for the water to boil, turn the dough out onto a lightly oiled surface.

~Divide the pretzel dough into 8 equal pieces.

~Roll each dough into a 24 inch rope.

~Twist rope into a pretzel shape.

~Mix beaten egg & 1 tablespoon water together.

~Gently place pretzel dough into the boiling water for 1 minute, turning after 30 seconds.

~Remove pretzel from water.

~Place on parchment lined baking sheets.

~Brush top of each pretzel with egg wash.

~Sprinkle with desired amount of kosher salt.

~Bake for 13-15 minutes, or until dark golden brown in color.

~Remove from oven and place on a cooling rack for 5 minutes.

Variations:

-substitute salt for fresh grated parmesan or asiago cheese.

-substitute kosher salt for cinnamon sugar.