Hot Buttered Fluffy Pretzels

This recipe is adapted from Fifteen Spatulas and had been borrowed and adapted a couple of times before that.

For the Dough:

2.5 cups flour

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp sugar

2.25 tsp instant quick rise yeast

1 cup warm water (110 degrees F)

For the Topping:

1/2 c warm water

1 tsp baking soda

vegetable oil for greasing the sheet pan

coarse sea salt, for sprinkling

3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted

Combine all the dough ingredients in a stand mixer.  Mix with the paddle attachment until somewhat combined (or by hand with a wooden spoon).  Change to the dough hook and knead on medium low for 5 minutes.  The dough should feel soft and smooth, and barely not sticky.

Lightly grease a bowl with oil.  Place dough in bowl & rotate the dough so the oily side is on top.  Cover with a towel & let rise for 30 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F, and lightly grease a baking sheet with vegetable oil or line with parchment paper rated up to 450 degrees.

Place dough on lightly oiled counter top.  Divide the dough into 8 pieces.

Make a soda wash by whisking the warm water and baking soda.  Cook in the microwave for 1 minute.  It's not going to dissolve completely & that's okay.

Roll each of the eight pieces into a long rope and shape into a pretzel. 

Dip each pretzel into the soda wash and place onto the greased baking sheet.  Sprinkle with coarse sea salt, then let rise for 10 minutes.

Bake for 9 to 10 minutes until the pretzels are golden brown.  Brush the pretzels with the melted butter while they are hot out of the oven.