Recipe: Soft Pretzels

Instructions

1. Add the yeast and 1 teaspoon of the sugar to the warm water and wait 5 mins until the mix is foamy.
2. Add the flour, sugar, salt, oil and yeast mix to the bowl of a mixer. Mix with the dough hook until a dough forms. Add a little flour or water if you feel the dough is too dry or too wet. Mix with the dough hook for 5-7 minutes, until the dough is smooth. This step can be done by hand, just knead instead of mixing with the dough hook.
3. Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Allow to rise in a warm place for 1 hr or until doubled in size. Tip: if it’s really cold, fill the sink with hot water and float the bowl in it.
4. Pre heat the oven to 220C and fill a bowl with the hot water and bicarb soda.
5. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured or greased bench top and divide into 12. The easiest way to divide the dough is to divide in half and then in half again. Cut each of those four pieces into three.
6. Roll each piece of dough into a snake and twist into a pretzel shape – make a U shape, twist twice and bring the ends up to the top. Dip each pretzel into the bicarb solution before placing on a lined baking tray. Sprinkle with salt and bake for 8 minutes or until nicely browned. Brush with melted butter while hot, if desired.