Soft Pretzels

Method

• Step 1
  Combine yeast, water, sugar and salt in a bowl, whisk to combine and leave for 10 minutes until foamy and the yeast has activated.
• Step 2
  Using the dough attachment of a stand mixer, combine the yeast mixture with the butter and 3 cups of flour. If the dough is too sticky then add ¼ cup of flour at a time until it is of a bread dough consistancy. The dough will clean the sides of the bowl as it is kneaded, this is a good indicator that you have the right amount of flour.
• Step 3
  Knead the dough with the dough hook for approximately 10 minutes, then cover and allow to stand until double in size, approximately 40-60 minutes. Preheat oven to 180C.
• Step 4
  While the dough is rising, make a 'soda bath'. Fill a large saucepan with water (about 8 cups) and add bicarbonate soda. Bring to the boil, then reduce to a simmer.
• Step 5
  When the dough is risen, divide into 8 pieces and working one at a time roll into 'snakes'
• Step 6
  Fold the snakes over each other with a twist in the middle to look like a pretzel and set aside. Do this with all the dough pieces.
• Step 7
  Working one at a time, gently place one pretzel into the soda solution and allow it to simmer for 15 seconds only on each side, then gently remove and place on a cookie tray lined with baking paper. Repeat the soda solution cooking stage for each pretzel. Work with one at a time and be careful not to overcook as they will become tough. This is an important stage in achieving that 'traditional pretzel flavour'
• Step 8
  Once all pretzels have been bathed in the soda solution, gently brush them with extra melted butter and sprinkle with salt.
• Step 9
  Bake in for 12 minutes, keep an eye on them as oven temperatures vary and they can very quickly go from golden brown to burnt. Carefully remove pretzels from the oven once cooked and once again brush with a little melted butter.