Homemade Soft Pretzels

How have I never made these before?!

My absolute favorite, favorite  favorite snack of all time has always been soft pretzels. I grew up on these massive microwaveable, soft pretzels my mom would get from Coscto, and readily enjoy them as lunch, dinner, for a snack or dessert. I could NOT get enough of them.

Beings sans-microwave now, I usually only eat them if I happen to be at a concert or outdoor event where the only vegan snack option is a pretzel. And sadly, they usually taste like crap-hard, stale and uber dry.

But this homemade version is beyond amazing, and I ate 4 at once. I even brought them to an engagement party over the weekend where a bunch of steak-lovers went crazy for these vegan snacks. I’m always extra proud when carnivores favor my food over their own 🙂

5 cups organic all-purpose flour

3 cups hot water, plus 1 1/4 cup

1/2 cup organic sugar, plus 1 tbsp

1/3 cup baking soda

2 packets active dry yeast

2 tsp sea salt, plus more for coating

1 tbsp olive oil

• Stir yeast and sugar in hot water, until dissolved- let stand for 10 minutes
• In a large bowl, combine flour, 1/2 cup sugar, 2 tsp sea salt
• Make a well in the center and pour in yeast mixture
• Stir together and knead for a few minutes, until a smooth dough is formed
• Coat with olive oil, cover with saran wrap, and let rise in a warm place for 1 1/2 hours
• Preheat oven to 450 degrees
• Mix together baking soda and 3 cups hot water
• Roll dough out and cut into 12 equal pieces-form into pretzels shapes
• Dip pretzels in baking soda water for 10 seconds and then place on greased baking sheet
• Bake pretzels at 450 degrees for 8 minutes