Papa Drexler's Bavarian Pretzels

Ingredients

• 3.5 cups all-purpose flour , divided, or more as needed
• 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
• 1 teaspoon white sugar
• 1.33 cups water
• 2 tablespoons butter , softened
• 0.25 teaspoons salt
• 3 tablespoons baking soda
• 2 tablespoons butter , melted
• 1 tablespoon coarse sea salt , or to taste

Instructions

1. 1

   Gather all ingredients.

2. 2

   Whisk 1 cup flour, yeast, and sugar together in a bowl. Stir in water and softened butter until well combined. Let stand until bubbles begin to form, about 15 minutes.

3. 3

   Stir salt into yeast mixture, then gradually stir in 2 1/2 cups flour until dough can be picked up in a ball.

4. 4

   Knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes, adding more flour if needed.

5. 5

   Divide dough into 6 pieces and let rest for a few minutes.

6. 6

   Roll one piece into a 15-inch rope, then loop and twist rope into a pretzel shape. Place onto a baking sheet and form remaining pretzels. Cover and let rise for 15 minutes.

7. 7

   Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (220 degrees C). Grease a baking sheet.

8. 8

   Bring 3 cups water to a boil in a pot. Stir in baking soda and remove from the heat.

9. 9

   Dip pretzels into the water bath for about 45 seconds, flipping over about halfway through.

10. 10

    Transfer soaked pretzels to the prepared baking sheet; brush with melted butter and sprinkle with salt.

11. 11

    Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes.