Amazing Philadelphia Soft Pretzels

Are you hungry for an amazing soft pretzel, kind of like those you find at the mall?  Then this is the recipe for you!  I found this recipe from my beloved friend Jane Hunter.

Ingredients:

1 pkg. dry yeast

1 Tbsp. sugar

1 1/4 cups warm water

3-4 cups flour

2 tsp. salt

4 cups water

2 tsp. baking soda

Butter & Kosher salt

Directions:

(1) In large mixing bowl, combine warm water and sugar.  Sprinkle in yeast and allow it to sit and become foamy for 10 minutes.

(2)  Add 2 tsp. salt and 3 cups of flour.  Beat.  Add enough additional flour to knead.

(3) Knead for 10 minutes or until dough is very soft.  Place in a greased bowl and cover tightly with plastic wrap.  Let rise 45 minutes or until double.

(4)  Divide dough into 12 small balls and roll on counter to form a skinny snake about 20" long.  Form each into pretzel shapes, pinching ends firmly.

(5) Dissolve 2 tsp. baking soda in 4 cups water and bring to a boil.  Preheat oven to 475 degrees.

(6) Drop pretzels in boiling water.  Boil for 1 minute - 30 seconds on each side.

(7) Remove from boiling water and place on paper towels before transferring to a buttered cookie sheet.

(8) Sprinkle moist pretzels with Kosher salt.

(9) Bake in preheated 475 degree oven for 10-15 minutes.  Remove just before they are golden brown and rub with unsalted butter.  Continue to bake until golden brown.