Buttery Soft Pretzels

Ya know, like the ones your kids beg you for in the mall. That cost a whoppin' $3.00 each. My 3 year old loves those pretzels. So I decided to try and make them at home. We haven't had a need for the mall versions since! Not to mention, I can make a double batch for less then $3.00. They are so good and a lot of fun to make together. Well, I make, they eat. You can top them with a variety of toppings and dip them in whatever you like best. Adults love them as well. Just think about the next time your asked to bring chips and dip to a party and you show up with these instead. Who likes to go to the mall anyways? Oh wait, I do. =)

Dough :
2 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. sugar
2 1/4 tsp. instant yeast
1 cup warm water (110 F) 


Topping:
1/2 cup warm water
2 Tbls. baking soda
Kosher salt/cinnamon & sugar/grated parmesan 


Dissolve yeast in warm water in bowl of stand mixer. Add sugar.  Add the flour, salt and mix till combined. Knead on setting "2" for 5 minutes. The dough will be slack. Form into a ball and flour the outside. Put the ball into a lightly floured bag. (I use a bread bag, but a gallon freezer bag will work.) Let dough sit for 30 minutes.


Lightly grease your working surface. Cut dough into 8 equal pieces. Let sit for 5 minutes. While you wait, mix 1/2 cup of hot water with 2 tbls baking soda in a medium sized shallow bowl.  Make sure you dissolve the baking soda well so you don't have spoltchy pretzels (This is what gives the pretzels their shiny, golden brown exterior). Roll each piece into 22-24 inch long rope. Form the pretzel as shown below. Dip into the baking soda bath and place on the baking sheets.  Allow them to rest, uncovered,  for 10 minutes. 


Bake at 450 for 8-10 mintues or until they are golden brown,  rotating pans mid way through.


Remove from oven and brush with butter several times. Sprinkle with Kosher salt, cinnamon sugar or whatever you like. 
If you would like to make the pepperoni cheese pretzels top with pepperoni slices before baking. When they are golden brown add shredded cheese and place back in the oven just until the cheese melts. 


Enjoy!

                            Make the holes and and big. They puff up.

                                  That's my happy 3 year old.

                                       All my happy kiddos.
 

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