Soft Pretzels

Most nights during the summer at Biz's house, you will find a Braves game on TV (that is, when Mediacom is actually working, but that's another story).  Since we've been watching a lot of baseball lately, I wanted to make something you might eat at a ballpark.  Deciding against hot dogs and nachos (I love real nachos, but not that bright orange cheese you get at the ballpark), I opted for a soft pretzel.  These are good, and they were fun to make.

The recipe calls for four cups of flour--one cup of bread flour and three cups of all-purpose flour--but I used all all-purpose.  It also says to knead the dough until it's smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes.  There was nothing elastic about my dough, but I kneaded it until it was smooth, and it was fine.  It makes a dozen big pretzels, so I'm saving some for later.  When you want one, just warm it up in the microwave, and then brush some butter on it with whatever else you want to top it with--kosher salt, garlic salt, cinnamon sugar, etc.  Serve with whatever dipping sauce you like and enjoy!

Soft Pretzels

1 (0.25 ounce) pkg active dry yeast
2 Tbsp brown sugar
1 1/8 salt
1 1/2 cups warm water
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup bread flour
2 cups warm water
2 Tbsp baking soda
2 Tbsp butter, melted
kosher salt

In a large mixing bowl, dissolve the yeast, brown sugar, and salt in the 1 1/2 cups warm water.  Stir in flour, and knead dough on floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes.  Place in a greased bowl (I used probably 1-2 Tbsp vegetable oil), and turn to coat the surface.  Cover, and let rise for one hour.

Combine two cups of warm water and baking soda in an 8" square pan.  After the dough has risen, cut into twelve pieces.  Roll each piece into a three-foot rope.  Twist into a pretzel shape, and dip into the water-baking soda solution.  Blot pretzel on a paper towel, place on a cookie sheet, and let rise for 15-20 more minutes. 

Bake at 450 for 8-10 minutes.  Brush with melted butter, and sprinkle with salt.  Enjoy!