Homemade Pretzel Bread

This could possibly be the best bread I have ever made!

The recipe makes 2 small loaves or 8 rolls.

Ingredients:

Dough:

2 1/4 tsp rapid yeast

1 cup warm water (or whey) 105° - 110°F

3 tbsps brown sugar

2 tbsps milk

4 tbsps butter, melted

1 tsp salt

3 cups all purpose flour

Baking Soda Bath:

4 qts water

1/2 cup baking soda

Topping:

1-2 tbsps coarse salt

2 tbsps melted butter

Combine yeast, warm water (or whey) and brown sugar in a mixer bowl and let sit for 5 minutes or until foamy. I had whey left from making ricotta so I used that for more protein and nutrients. (I used a cheesemaking kit I got while in Covid19 lockdown and it's pretty neat! But the original recipe calls for water so no worries if you don't have whey!)

Melt 4 tbsps of butter in the microwave and mix in the milk. Add this to the mixer bowl with the yeast and combine. Mix the salt and flour together and dump into the bowl. Combine fully and knead (hand or mixer) 5 or so minutes until smooth but still tacky. Oil a large bowl, place the dough ball in and cover with a damp cloth. Place in a warm spot, like the oven with the oven light on. Rise 1 hour or until doubled.

Get the baking soda bath ready. Boil 4 qts of water in a large pot (like your spaghetti pot) then slowly and carefully add the baking soda. I stirred tablespoonfuls in 1 at a time so it didn't bubble up too quickly.

Turn the dough out onto the counter. I floured the surface but don't really think it was needed. Cut the dough in half and form into 2 loaves (or make 8 rolls).

Then straight into the baking soda bath... 60-90 seconds a side for loaves, 30 seconds a side for rolls. I made my slashes in the top before but was supposed to wait until after the baking soda bath. Oops! But it all worked out anyways.

Remove the dough from the bath with a large slotted spoon or spatula, drain and place on a parchment lined sheet. If you're doing it right now's the time to slash the loaves. I made one with a n "X" and the other with diagonal slashes. I liked the diagonals better. Although the "X" might have turned out better if I'd slashed the dough after the bath!! Anyways, give the loaves a nice sprinkling of coarse salt...

and bake at 400°F for 23-25 minutes for loaves, 18-20 minutes for rolls.

Remove from oven and immediately brush with melted butter.

Lift off the parchment paper and onto racks to cool completely.

Or if not cooled completely at least a few minutes before you can't help yourself!!

Original recipe from joyfoodsunshine.com