Ingredients

For the pretzels:

• 340ml warm water
• 7g fast action yeast*
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp caster sugar
• 1 tbsp butter, melted
• 550g plain flour
• Sea salt to garnish

* Fast /Instant/Quick dried yeast does not need to be activated in liquid first. It can be added directly to the flour. Active dried yeast, on the other hand, does for 5 minutes.

For the bread soda bath:

• 100g bread soda
• 2ltrs water

Tools

• kMix Stand Mixer

Method

For the pretzels:

1. Fit your Kenwood stand mixer with the dough hook attachment.
2. To the bowl, add the water, fast-action yeast, salt, sugar, melted butter & plain flour.
3. Mix on medium speed for 5 minutes.
4. At this point, you'll have a soft elastic dough.
5. Remove from the bowl and knead on a floured work surface to form a smooth ball.
6. Leave it on the floured counter, cover with a cloth and proof for 15 minutes.

To make the bread soda bath:

1. Add the soda and water to a large saucepan and bring to a gentle simmer. The reason you place the pretzels into the water bath is to give a chewy texture, and it helps with the colouring.

Preparing the pretzels:

1. Divide the rested dough into 12 pieces (approx. 70g each).
2. Roll the dough into 18 "-20" ropes. Form a circle with the dough by bringing the two ends together at the top of the circle. Twist the ends together. Bring the twisted ends back down towards yourself and press them down to form a pretzel shape.
3. Shane finds if you roll and shape all 12, the ones you rolled at the beginning can be slightly too soft to lift, so I roll and cook six and repeat the process.

To cook:

1. Once the pretzels are shaped, carefully drop them into the simmering bread soda bath and cook for 20 seconds. Don't leave them in the water any longer, as they can take on the bread soda/ metallic taste.
2. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on a lined baking tray.
3. Repeat the process until all 12 are ready for the oven.
4. Just before baking, you can sprinkle on some sea salt or a topping of your choice.
5. Place in the preheated oven set at 200C/180C fan and bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown all over.
6. Remove and allow to cool.
7. Enjoy