How to Make Ball Park Worthy Pretzels

When I finally perfected this recipe, I ran around the house, pretzel in hand, like I just won a marathon. They are that good.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup bread flour
• 3 1/2 cups warm water
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 1/8 teaspoons salt
• 2 tablespoons baking soda
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 2 tablespoons coarse kosher salt
• 1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast

1. In a large mixing bowl, dissolve the yeast, brown sugar and salt in 1 1/2 cups warm water. Stir in flour, and knead dough on a floured surface until very smooth and elastic. Consider this your workout for the day. Failure to knead the dough long enough makes for tough rubbery pretzels that are not yummy at all.

2. Place in a greased bowl, and turn to coat the surface. Cover with a dishcloth and let rise until the dough has doubled in size.

3. After dough has risen, cut into 12 pieces. Roll each piece into a 3 foot rope. They'll be about pencil thin. Twist into a pretzel shape.

4. Place on parchment covered cookie sheets or directly on a nonstick one. and let rise an additional 15 to 20 minutes.

5. Combine 2 cups warm water and baking soda in an 8 inch square pan. Swish your pretzels into the baking soda solution.

6. Brush with melted butter, and sprinkle with coarse salt, garlic salt or cinnamon sugar.

7. Bake at 450 degrees F on the top rack for 8 to 10 minutes, or until golden brown. Chewier pretzel will need less time than more bread-like ones. Eat them warm or store in a reseal-able plastic bag

Tips & Warnings

• Some variations:
• Add a 1/2 cup of raisins and 1 tsp cinnamon. Serve with icing.
• Add 1 diced jalapeño pepper. Serve with cheese dip.
• Brush the baked pretzels with additional melted butter and sprinkle with garlic powder and parmesan cheese to taste. Serve with marinara.
• Brush the baked pretzels with more melted butter and sprinkle with a mixture of 1/2 cup sugar & 1 tbsp cinnamon.