Pretzel Dogs and Mall Pretzels

These pretzels are absolutely amazing. I've spent a lot of time trying recipes that are similar to the pretzels you can find in the stands at the mall. These are it! They're very soft and chewy and just about anything can be done to the dough. It's perfect whether you want your pretzel sweet or savory.

We treated them with just the standard butter/salt topping, but we also made some pretzel dogs!

The recipe comes from AllRecipes, and it's no wonder it has so many wonderful ratings. The recipe is perfect!

Ingredients:

• 1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 1/8 teaspoons salt
• 1 1/2 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup bread flour
• 2 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
• 2 tablespoons baking soda
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 2 tablespoons coarse kosher salt

Directions:

In a large mixing bowl, dissolve the yeast, brown sugar and salt in 1 1/2 cups warm water. Stir in flour, and knead dough on a floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, and turn to coat the surface. Cover, and let rise for one hour.

Combine 2 cups warm water and baking soda in an 8 inch square pan.

After dough has risen, cut into 12 pieces. Roll each piece into a 3 foot rope, pencil thin or thinner. Twist into a pretzel shape, and dip into the baking soda solution. Place on parchment covered cookie sheets, and let rise 15 to 20 minutes.

Bake at 450 degrees F (230 degrees C) for 8 to 10 minutes, or until golden brown. Brush with melted butter, and sprinkle with coarse salt, garlic salt or cinnamon sugar.

Notes for Pretzel Dogs: One 3-foot rope worked for two pretzel dogs, and then the recipe was followed as normal. We didn't cook the hot dogs before then, and they required the same baking time as the regular pretzels.

Guten Appetit!