Soft Pretzels

There nothing my kids like for a snack after school than a Soft Pretzel.  Being the nice, super way cool, mom that I am (if you wouldn't mind telling my kids I'm nice and super way cool, that would be fantastic! :)) I made these Soft Pretzels for an after school snack for them.  They all loved them and devoured them in record time.

Don't forget to enter the giveaway for 2 free movie tickets and a box of General Mills cereal that I have going on right now!

2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar
2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast
1 cup very warm water

Topping:
1/2 cup warm water
2 tablespoons baking soda
Coarse salt (optional)
3 tablespoons butter, melted

In a large bowl combine the flour, salt, sugar and yeast.  Mix to just combine.  Add the water and mix well.  Add more flour, a little bit at a time, if needed, to form a soft, smooth dough.  Knead the dough for about 5 minutes, until it is soft and smooth, and not overly sticky.  Place dough in a lightly greased bowl and cover and let rest/rise for 30 to 60 minutes.  Preheat oven to 500 F.  Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or grease them.  Place dough on a lightly greased work surface and divide into 8 to 10 equal pieces of dough (depending on how large you would like your pretzels) and lest rest, uncovered for 5 minutes.  While the dough is resting, combine the 1/2 cup warm water and the baking soda in a small, flat bottomed plate, pan or bowl that is just large enough to dip the pretzels in, and mix until dissolved.  Roll each piece of dough into a long, thin strip and shape into a pretzel.  Dip each pretzel into the baking soda mixture (the baking soda didn't dissolve completely for me, so I stirred it before dipping each pretzel).  Place each pretzel on a prepared baking sheet about 2-inches apart and sprinkle lightly with coarse salt, if using.  Let rest rest for 10 minutes, uncovered.  Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until they're golden brown.  Brush the baked pretzels with melted butter and serve warm.

Recipe from Mel's Kitchen Cafe.

Linked on Tatertots and Jello and Nifty Thrifty Things.