X-Men Pretzels

Let's get started!

1. In a large bowl, mix the 1 cup warm water, yeast, honey and sugar and let sit for 10 minutes to activate.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the bread and all-purpose flour.
3. With a wooden spoon, stir in the butter and half the flour.
4. Add the salt and mix well.
5. Add a little flour at a time, stirring between each addition until all the flour is added.
6. Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead the dough until it is smooth.
7. Add the dough to a large bowl coated with oil and cover with a clean towel for 1 to 1 ½ hours or until it is doubled in size.
8. Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line and grease a baking sheet with parchment paper.
9. When the dough is ready, turn it onto a floured surface and cut into 14 equal portions. Roll each portion into a rope.
10. You’ll need two ropes per pretzel. Form one rope into a circle and cut the second rope in half. Attach each half rope to the circle to create an X. Place on a lightly greased parchment paper lined baking sheet.
11. Cover shaped pretzels with a clean kitchen towel and let rest for 15 minutes.
12. In a large pot, bring 10 cups of water and baking soda to a simmer. Poach the pretzels for 1 minute, 30 seconds per side.
13. Place poached pretzels on a lightly greased parchment lined baking sheet and brush with melted butter and salt.
14. Place the pretzels bake onto a well-greased baking sheet and brush with 3 tablespoons melted butter and sprinkle with coarse salt.
15. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes.
16. TaDa! You don’t need to go to Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters to learn to make these X-men pretzels!