Homemade Pretzels

This is a really yummy and easy pretzel recipe.  I like to make them my bite size!  Or twist into pretzel twists!

Sorry no picture.  They are from my neighbor Natalie!

Dough

        2 1/2 C flour

        3/4 tsp salt

        1 tsp sugar

        2 1/4 tsp instant yeast

        1 C warm water

Topping

          3/4 c. warm water

          2 T. baking soda

          coarse salt (kosher salt or pretzel salt)

          3-4 T. melted butter

1. Place all of the dough ingredients into a mixing bowl.  (No need to bloom your yeast, just add it all in!)  Mix until all ingredients are combined.  Knead the dough (using a dough hook) for about 5 minutes.  After 5 minutes you should have a nice smooth and soft dough. 
2. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and let sit for 30 minutes.
3. Preheat oven to 500 degrees.  Spray pans with non-stick spray. 
4. Spray your countertop with a bit of non-stick spray, and transfer dough to counter.  Using a bench knife (I used a regular knife), divide the dough in half and in half again until you have 8 equal pieces.  Let the dough rest while you prepare the topping.
5. In a small shallow dish, combine the warm water and baking soda.  Mix until the soda is dissolved. 
6. Using your hands, roll each dough into a long rope (about 2 feet long), then twist into shape. Dip the pretzel into the soda water and then place on the pan.  Sprinkle lightly with kosher salt.  Let sit on pans, uncovered for 10-15 minutes.
7. Bake the pretzels for 7 minutes.  I baked 4 pretzels per pan.  Remove the pretzels from the oven and immediately brush them with melted butter.  Use all of the butter.  Remove to a wire rack.

Best eaten warm out of the oven.  You can also reheat them before eating.