Soft Pretzels

[kirra]

Soft Pretzels

Ingredients:

1 1⁄2 cups warm water
2 1⁄2 teaspoons active dry yeast
1 tablespoon sugar
3 1⁄2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon salt
1 egg
Coarse or kosher salt

Water Bath:

1 gallon water
1 tablespoon baking soda

Preparation:

In large bowl, combine warm water, yeast and sugar; let sit for 5 minutes, or until foamy.

In separate bowl, combine flour and salt. Add to yeast mixture and mix until it comes together. Use your hands to combine into a ball. On lightly floured work surface, knead dough for a few minutes until a smooth, sticky dough forms.

Place dough in oiled bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let sit for about 45 minutes.

On lightly floured work surface, divide dough into 8 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a long rope, 18 to 20 inches long. (Don’t over-flour your hands or the work surface as this will make the pieces more difficult to roll.) Twist each piece into a pretzel shape by placing the arc of the pretzel at the bottom (closest to you). Round the two ends so they’re facing the arc and twist them around; “pasteâ€