Amazing Soft Pretzels Recipe

You may want to double batch this recipe, since it never lasts long at my house, which is one of the explanations I have for not having a picture to show you. This recipe is one of my all time favorite to make. Its fun and easy, but time consuming. Perfect for those snow days or on a weekend with the kids.

4 teaspoons active dry yeast
1 teaspoon white sugar
1 1/4 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
5 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup white sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/2 cup baking soda
4 cups hot water

1. In a small bowl, dissolve yeast and 1 teaspoon sugar in warm water. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.
2. In a large bowl, mix together flour, 1/2 cup sugar, and salt. Add the water and yeast mixture. Mix and form into a dough. If the mixture is dry, add one or two tablespoons of water. Knead the dough until smooth, about 7 to 8 minutes. Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat with oil. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
3. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). In a large bowl, dissolve baking soda in hot water.
4. When risen, turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and divide into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a rope and twist into a pretzel shape. Once all of the dough is all shaped, dip each pretzel into the baking soda solution and place on a greased baking sheet. Sprinkle with kosher salt (optional)
5. Bake in preheated oven for 8 minutes, until browned.

To this recipe I added my own twist, to create a sweeter and more like the ones you can get at the mall, movies and flea market try adding this solution.

2 tbsp butter, melted
1/4 tsp salt

Combine salt and butter until blended well. Brush on to pretzels and let dry on pretzels.

Enjoy!!