Homemade Soft Pretzels (Original video)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup milk
• 2 tbsp white sugar
• 2 tsp active dry yeast
• 2 tbsp softened butter
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup water
• 1 1/2 tbsp baking soda
• Pretzel salt (or coarse/kosher salt)
• 2 tbsp melted butter

Instructions:

1. Warm up 1 cup of milk to about 110 degrees and pour it into a large bowl. Sprinkle in 2 tbsp of white sugar and 2 tsp of active dry yeast. Let it sit for 10 minutes until it gets foamy.
2. Add in 1/2 tsp of salt and 2 tbsp of softened butter. Mix in half of the 2 1/4 cups of all-purpose flour with a wooden spoon until it forms a batter-like consistency. Add in the remaining flour and mix until it starts to come together.
3. Knead the dough for 1-2 minutes on a floured surface until it develops some gluten and everything is mixed well. Place the dough in a large bowl coated with 1 tbsp of vegetable oil, cover it with a moist towel, and let it rise for 1 hour until it doubles in size.
4. Make the baking soda solution by whisking 1 1/2 tbsp of baking soda into 1 cup of nearly boiling water. Set it aside.
5. Cut the dough into 6 equal portions and form each portion into a pretzel shape. Dip each pretzel into the baking soda solution for 5-10 seconds and place them onto a greased or silicone-lined baking sheet. Sprinkle pretzel salt on top.
6. Bake the pretzels in a preheated 450 degree Fahrenheit oven for 9-10 minutes until they are golden brown. Brush them with 2 tbsp of melted butter while they are still hot. Serve with cheese sauce or mustard.