These soft pretzels are a perfect snack for hosting! Made with a simple dough and a quick baking soda bath, they come out golden brown and delicious, ready to be brushed with butter and topped with salt or cinnamon sugar.
1. In a large bowl mix together your water, yeast, salt and sugar. Allow to sit for 1-2 minutes while proofing. Add in your flour and mix well in either a standing mixer with a hook attachment or with a wooden spoon. Knead in the mixer or by hand for 4-5 minutes until the dough is soft and smooth and easily pulls away from the bowl.
2. Shape dough into a ball, cover with a dish towel and let rest for 20 minutes. Once done resting, cut into 8 pieces. Roll out each one into a long rope, make a teardrop shape, twist the ends once and fold it over to make a pretzel shape.
3. Preheat oven to 450F. Make a baking soda bath by boiling 8 cups of water in a large pot. Once boiling, add in your baking soda tbsp by tbsp (it will bubble up so be careful). Add each pretzel in for 30 seconds each and remove with a slotted spoon.
4. Place all pretzels on a greased or lined baking sheet. Make an egg wash mixture with egg yolk and water then brush over each one. Sprinkle over salt and bake for 12-14 minutes until golden brown.
5. Brush each one with butter and if you want cinnamon sugar lightly coat the pretzel with it. Serve with your favorite sauces and culture pop, enjoy!!!
