Homemade Soft Pretzels

Ingredients

• 1.25 cups warm water , 110 degrees F/45 degrees C
• 4 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 teaspoon white sugar
• 5 cups all-purpose flour
• 0.5 cups white sugar
• 1.5 teaspoons salt
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil , or more as needed
• 0.5 cups baking soda
• 4 cups hot water
• 0.25 cups kosher salt , for topping

Instructions

1. 1

   Pour 1 ¼ cups warm water into a medium bowl. Dissolve yeast and 1 teaspoon sugar in warm water; let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.

2. 2

   Mix flour, ½ cup sugar, and salt together in a large bowl. Make a well in the center; add yeast mixture and oil. Mix well and form into a dough. If mixture is dry, add one or two more tablespoons of water.

3. 3

   Knead dough until smooth, about 7 minutes. Lightly oil a large bowl, place dough in the bowl, and turn to coat with oil. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

4. 4

   Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Grease 2 baking sheets.

5. 5

   Pour 4 cups hot water into a large bowl. Stir in baking soda until dissolved; set aside.

6. 6

   Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and divide into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a rope and twist into a pretzel shape.

7. 7

   Once all of the dough is shaped, dip each pretzel into the baking soda-hot water solution and place on the prepared baking sheets. Sprinkle with kosher salt.

8. 8

   Bake in preheated oven until browned, about 8 minutes.

9. 9

   Enjoy!