homemade soft pretzels

How To Make homemade soft pretzels

• 
  Step 1
  Combine the water, sugar, and Kosher salt in the bowl of a stand mixer. Sprinkle yeast on top. Allow to sit for 5 minutes or until the mixture begins to foam.
• 
  Step 2
  Add butter.
• 
  Step 3
  Add about 2 cups of flour and mix with the paddle attachment.
• 
  Step 4
  Using a dough hook, slowly add flour. Mix on low speed until well combined and a ball forms.
• 
  Step 5
  Knead dough until it's smooth and pulls away from the sides of the bowl; 4 - 5 minutes.
• 
  Step 6
  Remove from the bowl and place in a metal or glass bowl lightly oiled with vegetable oil.
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  Step 7
  Cover and let sit in a warm place for about 1 hour or until the dough has doubled in size.
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  Step 8
  Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchament paper and lightly brush with vegetable oil. Set aside.
• 
  Step 9
  Bring 10 cups of water and baking soda to a roiling boil in a large saucepan.
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  Step 10
  In the meantime, turn the dough onto a slightly oiled work surface and divide it into about 16 twenty-four-inch ropes.
• 
  Step 11
  Either make a U and cross the ends to make a traditional pretzel or cut into 2-inch bite-sized pieces to make nuggets.
• 
  Step 12
  Place the pretzels in the boiling water for about 30 seconds. Remove them and place them on the baking sheets lined with parchment paper.
• 
  Step 13
  Brush the top of each pretzel or nugget with an egg wash mixture.
• 
  Step 14
  Sprinkle with a little salt.
• 
  Step 15
  Or, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.
• 
  Step 16
  Bake until dark golden brown in color; approximately 12 - 14 minutes. Let cool on a cooling rack at least 5 minutes prior to serving.
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