[BrianR]

Recently, I spent some time in Philadelphia.

This has triggered a touch of homesickness. Even my spouse liked it there so much she can hardly wait to go back. She's amazed that the food there is so varied and good. True, I cherry-picked the places we ate, but still.

I personally am feeming hard for soft pretzels. Again. Yes, we have Auntie Anne's and Superpretzels but I want to good stuff without paying two bucks for a pretzel.

So.

I have been experimenting with recipes and find this one to be pretty good. I'll try cheese, garlic, jalapeno and cinnamon sugar next.

1 1/2 pkgs dry yeast
1 1/2 cups warm water

mix until dissolved
Stir in:

2 T brown sugar
1 t salt

until dissolved. Then add:

1 C bread flour
3 C all-purpose flour

knead until smooth and elastic.
place in lightly oiled bowl, cover and let rise at least
30 mins in a warm place. An hour is best, IMO.
While that is going on, mix:

2 C warm water
2 T baking soda

stir to dissolve. This will be your final wash.

Take a piece of dough and roll into a string about 1/2" think and 12-14" long. You may adjust to your size pref.
Dip into the baking soda wash and then form into pretzel shape. Bake 10-12 minutes at 450 deg F.

Alt, you may brush with melted butter before baking as well as add coarse salt to taste. When done baking, you may also dredge in coatings of your choice.

Cool a few minutes (if you can) before eating. May be frozen and reheated in toaster oven for up to one month.