Oven Baked Soft Pretzels

Combine water, sugar, salt, and yeast in a stand mixer. Let sit 5-10 minutes or until foamy.

Add 2 cups flour and the butter to the yeast mixture. With a dough hook, mix on low. Continue adding flour a bit at a time until combined.

Knead in the mixer with the hook until the dough is smooth, about 5 minutes (or knead on the counter by hand about 10 minutes).

Remove the dough, place in an oiled bowl and cover. Set in a warm place and allow to rise 60 minutes or until the dough has doubled.

Preheat the oven to 450°F and line baking pans with parchment paper. Bring water and baking soda to a boil.

Divide dough into 8 pieces and roll each piece into a 24″ rope. Form the dough into a “U” shape. Cross the two ends over each other and fold down to the bottom of the U to form a pretzel shape. Repeat with remaining pretzels.

Gently place pretzels on a large spatula and lower into the boiling water. Let boil 10-15 seconds. Gently lift out of the water, let excess drip off and place on prepared pan allowing at least 2″ between pretzels.

Brush each pretzel with egg wash and sprinkle with salt.

Bake 12-14 minutes or until golden.