Soft Pretzels

Directions

• Combine the warm water, brown sugar, yeast, and melted butter in a large bowl (I use my standing mixer). Let sit for 5 minutes until the yeast becomes bubbly.
• Add the salt and 4 1/2 cups of flour to the wet ingredients. Mix until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl. If the mixture is still wet, add 1 tbsp of flour at a time. Mix 3-4 minutes until smooth.
• Pour some oil in the bowl or spray with cooking spray then swirl the dough around to coat the ball of dough with oil/spray to prevent sticking.
• Let rise about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
• Preheat the oven to 425°.
• Put a large, 4 qt pot on the stove with 3 qt of water and bring to a boil. Add the baking soda to the water. You might need to turn the temperature down if it is fizzing too much.
• Spray 2 cookie sheets or use silicone baking mats.
• Break off pieces of the dough and form into desired shapes. Bathe the shapes in the boiling water for 30 seconds, then remove with a slotted spoon.
• Arrange the pretzel pieces on the cookie sheets. Scramble the egg and cold water together, then brush onto the pretzels using a pastry brush. Sprinkle the pretzels with salt or cinnamon sugar (2tbsp cinnamon:1/2c sugar ratio). (I like to do some of each.)
• Bake at 425° for 15-18 minutes or until medium brown.