Homemade Pretzels- Attempt #2

So this is our second attempt at homemade pretzels.  The first attempt had whole wheat, which was good, but it wasn't the soft, salty goodness that is Auntie Anne's at the mall.

And Pinterest said "these are the best pretzels- forget the mall!"

I put a lot of faith in Pinterest, usually falsely (check out my posts on my personal blog about various Pinterest Project Fails) but I believed this pinner.  I was excited.  I was going to make pretzels that were better than those at the mall!

INGREDIENTS

• 1 1/2 cups warm water
• 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
• 1 package active dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)
• 3 ounces unsalted butter, melted
• 2 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 4 1/2 to 5 cups all-purpose flour
• Vegetable oil
• 3 quarts water
• 3/4 cup baking soda
• 1 whole egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon cold water
• Coarse sea salt

DIRECTIONS

1. Combine the water, sugar, yeast, and butter in the bowl of a stand mixer and mix with the dough hook until combined. Let sit for 5 minutes.
2. Add the salt and flour and mix on low speed until combined. Increase the speed to medium and continue kneading until the dough is smooth and begins to pull away from the side of the bowl, about 3 to 4 minutes. If the dough appears too wet, add additional flour, 1 tablespoon at a time. 
3. Remove the dough from the bowl, place on a flat surface and knead into a ball with your hands.
4. Oil a bowl with vegetable oil, add the dough and turn to coat with the oil.
5. Cover with a clean towel or plastic wrap and place in a warm spot until the dough doubles in size, about 1 hour. (Here's the best trick I've ever read- simply put it in the oven with a towel on top and a bowl of hot water underneath.  This works for us, since there IS no warm spot in our house!)
6. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
7. Bring the water to a boil in a small roasting pan over high heat and add the baking soda.
8. Remove the dough from the bowl and place on a flat surface. 
9. Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces, about 4 1/4 to 4 1/2 ounces each. 
10. Roll each piece into a long rope and shape into the lengths or shapes that you want (sticks are easy and tasty).  
11. Boil the pretzels in the water solution in batches. Boil for about 30 seconds. Remove with a large slotted spoon. 
12. Place pretzels on a baking sheet that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Make sure they are not touching. 
13. Brush the tops with the egg wash and season liberally with the salt. 
14. Place into the oven and bake for 15 to 18 minutes until golden brown.
15. Add additional toppings immediately after they come out of the oven

VERDICT

So... obviously Pinterest failed me again.  I mean... these were good, but there weren't Auntie Anne's.  And I don't know how they could be when you put EGG on top instead of BUTTER.  I know, it's probably healthier, but the butter topping and big pieces of salt is what makes the mall pretzels so awesome!

I do agree that the best way to make them is to both boil and bake them.  That seems to get the pretzel consistency right.  As for the rest.... I'm on the hunt for a better recipe.