Homemade Pretzels sprinkled with Maldon Sea Salt

I thought it would be much more labor intensive - but making pretzels was not only fun but easy and I had all the ingredients on hand. (Except baking soda - thanks to my bestie neighbors who came to my rescue)

I also lost my dough hook in the move. I remember wrapping two of them up and noting - who has two dough hooks? SO, in all likelihood I donated both of them.

Pretzels are a lot like bagels in that they are boiled in a baking soda bath before baking. This provides the right texture. Then they are baked and brushed with butter and sprinkled with salt.

Pretzel Recipe:

1- Put 1 and 1/2 cups water in a microwave safe bowl and heat for 30-60 seconds. It should get to somewhere between 110-115 degrees (also known as warm) and add 2 1/2 teaspoons (or one packet) of active dry yeast, 1 Tablespoon of sugar and two teaspoons of kosher salt. Let the magic happen for about five minutes. There should be bubbles.

2- Put 3 cups flour in the bowl of a kitchen aid mixer and add in the warm water and yeast mixture and 2 Tablespoon melted butter. Mix with dough hook on low until combined and then on medium and knead for about five minutes.

3- Let rise in an oiled bowl covered in plastic wrap and let sit in a warm place for about an hour or until it is doubled in size. Here comes the fun part. Roll out balls of dough into long snakes (about 12 in long), Twist into pretzel shapes or into braided twists. .

4- Preheat oven to 450 and prepare two baking pans with silicone mats or parchment paper

5- Bring 2.5 Quarts of water to boil with about a 1/2 cup baking soda and boil the shaped dough for 30 seconds and then place on baking sheet. Brush with egg wash and bake in oven for 12 minutes.

6- Brush with melted butter and top with Maldon Sea Salt.

INGREDIENTS:

1 1/2 Cups Water'

2 and 1/2 teaspoons Yeast

1 Tablespoon Sugar

2 teaspoons Kosher Salt

2 Tablespoons Melted Butter (plus more for brushing)

3 Cups Flour

2.5 Quarts Water

1/2 cup Baking Soda

Maldon Sea Salt