Sourdough Pretzels

I think I am finally satisfied with this recipe.

Sourdough Soft Pretzels

Ingredients:

Pretzels:

  1 cup warm milk

  1 cup unfed sourdough starter

  1 1/2  tsp instant yeast

  2 Tbsp brown sugar

  1 tsp salt

  2 Tbsp butter, melted

  3 cups All purpose flour

Alkali Bath:
  3 Tbsp sodium carbonate (can substitute baking soda)
  3 cups water

Egg Wash:
  1 egg (beaten)
  1 Tbsp Cold water



  Coarse Salt

Directions

1. In a large Bowl, mix the first 7 ingredients
2. Knead until smooth and elastic
3. Return to bowl and lest rest at least one hour
4. Shape into a rectangle and divide into 12 equal pieces
5. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F
6. Roll one piece at a time into a rope approx. 18 inches long
7. Shape into a pretzel and place on baking tray
8. In a pot, dissolve sodium carbonate in 3 cups water and bring to a low boil
9. Insert pretzels one at a time for 30 seconds, turning at 15 seconds, return to baking sheet.
10. In a small bowl, beat egg with one Tbsp water to be used as an egg wash.
11. Brush each pretzel with egg wash, and sprinkle with coarse salt
12. Bake 450 degrees for 12-15 minutes, until dark golden brown.
13. Cool 5 minutes before serving.

Regarding Sodium Carbonate:

Sodium Carbonate (Washing Soda, Soda Ash...) and Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda) are quite similar. Sodium carbonate is slightly more basic (as in opposite of acidic), and really is a better choice for Pretzels, but Baking Soda is a ready substitute and works fine as well.

If you want to make your own sodium carbonate, just spread baking soda on a baking pan or tray and bake in a 200 F oven for about an hour.

(This converts sodium bicarbonate into sodium carbonate, carbon dioxide and water (The later two escaping as gases).

Store any extra in an airtight container (or it will revert back to baking soda). Also, since it is somewhat more alkaline that baking soda, treat it with a little more care (keep it away from eyes, nose, etc...).  

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