Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ cups (355 ml) warm water (105-115°F / 40-46°C)
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) granulated sugar
  • 2 ¼ teaspoons (7g) active dry yeast (one packet)
  • 4 ½ cups (565g) all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 ½ teaspoons (9g) salt
  • 8 cups (1.9 L) water
  • ⅓ cup (60g) baking soda
  • 1 large egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon water (egg wash)
  • Coarse pretzel salt, for topping
  • melted butter

Instructions:

  1. Combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let stand until foamy (about 5-10 minutes).
  2. Add flour, melted butter, and salt to the yeast mixture. Knead until a smooth, elastic dough forms.
  3. Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size.
  4. Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a long rope. Shape each rope into a pretzel.
  5. Bring water and baking soda to a boil. Gently drop pretzels into the boiling water, one or two at a time, for 30 seconds per side.
  6. Place boiled pretzels on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush with egg wash and sprinkle with coarse salt.
  7. Bake in a preheated oven until golden brown.
  8. Serve it with melted butter.