Alton Brown's Soft Pretzel

By jenknoll

Ingredients

• 620 g Bread flour
• 375 ml plus 1 tablespoon lukewarm water
• 50-55 g butter (melted)
• 7 g yeast
• 2 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 egg for egg wash
• 10 liter water
• 2/3 cup baking soda
• toppings
• some shredded tasty cheese
• jalapeno
• salt

Preparation

Step 1

1. Mix lukewarm water, yeast and sugar.
2. Leave it aside for 5 minutes.
3. Yeast will react with sugar and will start to foam.
4. Mix flour, melted butter and salt into a mixing bowl.
5. Add the yeast mixture.
6. Using the dough hook and mix all the ingredients until well combined, smooth and doesn't stick to the side of the bowl.
7. Transfer the dough into a clean well oiled bowl (or transfer to a plate, clean the mixing bowl, oil it and put the dough back). cover with Glad wrap.
8. Leave it to rest and rise (at least double in size) for at least 50-55 minutes.
9. Pre heat the oven to 180C.
10. Bring 10 liter water mix with baking soda to boil.
11. Prepare the baking tray, either use the parchment paper or silpat.
12. Divide the dough into 8. Roll into a 0.5m long rope. and shape your pretzel.
13. Gently lower the pretzel into the boiling pot of baking soda water and leave it for 30 seconds.
Using a slotted spoon, remove the pretzel onto a lined baking tray.
14. Brush with egg wash, sprinkle either with salt, tasty cheese or tasty cheese with jalapeno slices.
15. Bake for 12-15 minutes until it is golden and cook through.
Transfer to cooling rack before serving.