Bavarian Pretzels

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour, divided
• 1 Tbs active dry yeast
• 1 tsp white sugar
• 2 Tbs butter, softened
• 1 1/3 cups water
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 3 Tbs baking soda
• 3 cups water
• 2 Tbs butter melted
• Coarse sea salt to taste

Directions (READ INSTRUCTIONS all the way through first!)

1. In a large bowl, stir together 1 cup of flour, yeast, sugar, 2 Tbs of butter, and 1 1/3 cup water.  Let this mixture stand until bubbles begin to form, about 15 minutes.  Stir in the salt and gradually stir in the remaining flour until dough can be picked up and kneaded on the counter.  Knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes, adding more flour if needed.
2. Divide the dough into 6 pieces (more if you like smaller pretzels) and let them rest for a few minutes.  Roll out one piece at a time into a rope about 15 inches long.  Loop and twist into that cool pretzel shape, or any shape you like!  Set on a baking sheet while you roll out the remaining portions. 
3. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.  Bring the remaining 3 cups of water to a boil and add the baking soda.  Remove from heat.  Dip pretzels into the water bath for about 45 seconds, flipping over about halfway through.  Place the soaked pretzels on a greased baking sheet.  Brush them with melted butter and sprinkle with coarse salt.
4. Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, 8-10 minutes.

When I first tried this recipe I got a head of myself and botched step 3 of the directions!  So please remember to read all the way through!  If done right these taste so awesome!  The water bath really gives them that unique pretzel taste!

If you don't like salt on your pretzels feel free to get creative with toppings!  I've also used a cinnamon sugar topping that turns out really yummy!

I'm sorry it has been so long since my last post!  I feel like I've disappointed you 3 faithful readers of mine!  All this pregnancy and baby stuff has kind of consumed my life these past months.  I've got a few yummy dishes I need to share with you all!  I'll try and get them updated before baby girl comes!