Mall Pretzels

I've made several recipes for homemade pretzels.  They always turn out pretty tasty!  The key is to brush on the butter while hot out of the oven and then put whatever seasoning on right then.  I love the traditional butter and coarse salt, but you could always do garlic or maybe a cinnamon-sugar topping too.

I'm putting this recipe on the blog because it was so easy to work with!  I used 1 c. wheat flour along with the rest of the all-purpose and bread flour.  I want to put this one on the blog so I can find it again.
For the record, I also love the pretzel recipes found here or here.

MALL PRETZELS
(original recipe found here, although I originally saw it on a blog that no longer exists)

INGREDIENTS:

1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
3 cups all-purpose flour (or a mix of whole wheat flour)
1 cup bread flour
2 cups hot water
2 tablespoons baking soda
2 tablespoons butter, melted
2 tablespoons coarse kosher salt

DIRECTIONS:

1. 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.
2. Combine 2 cups hot water and baking soda in an 8 inch square pan.
3. 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 onto parchment covered baking sheets, and let rise 15 to 20 minutes.
4. Preheat an oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
5. Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until golden brown. Brush with melted butter, and sprinkle with coarse salt, garlic salt or cinnamon sugar.