Soft Pretzels

Soft Pretzels 1.5 cups warm water 1 tbsp sugar 1.5 tsp salt 1 package of active dry yeast 625g /4.5 cups of flour 2 tbsp of Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Sticks 10 cups water 2/3 cup of Baking Soda Directions Combine water, sugar and salt in a bowl of and sprinkle the yeast on top. Allow to sit until the mixture begins to foam, 5-10 minutes. Add the flour and melted Earth Balance and, using the dough hook attachment on a stand mixer, mix on low speed until well combined. Change to medium speed and knead until the dough is smooth and pulls away from the side of the bowl, about 5 minutes. Place dough in well oiled bowl cover with plastic wrap. let sit in a warm place for about an hour, until the dough has doubled in size. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper and lightly brush with the vegetable oil. Set aside. Divide the dough into 8 pieces. Make a rope of each piece and then form pretzel onto cookie sheet. Bring the 10 cups of water and the baking soda to a rolling boil, reduce to simmer. Place the pretzels into the boiling water for 30 seconds. Remove them from the water using a spatula. Place on cookie sheet and sprinkle with the coarse salt, if desired. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes. Serve with mustard, cinnamon sugar or any kind of dip.