MAKES: 6 PRETZELS AND 1/2 CUP SAUCE
FOR THE PRETZELS
- 1 cup milk
- 1 package active dry yeast
- 3 tablespoon packed light brown sugar
- 2 1/4 cups all- purpose flour, plus more for kneading
- 10 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for greasing
- 1 teaspoon fine salt
- 1/3 cup baking soda
- 2 tablespoons coarse salt
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
- 3 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cider vinegar
2. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees and grease a large baking sheet. Punch the dough to deflate it, then turn out onto a lightly floured surface. (If the dough seems tight, cover and let rest until it relaxes.) Divide the dough into 6 pieces. Roll and stretch each piece with the palms of your hands into a 30-inch rope, holding the ends and slapping the middle of the rope on the counter as you stretch.Form each rope into a pretzel shape.
3. Dissolve the baking soda in 3 cups of warm water in a shallow baking dish. Gently dip each pretzel in the soda solution, then arrange on the prepared baking sheet and sprinkle with the coarse salt. Bake until golden, 10 to 12 minutes.
4. Prepare the sauce: Combine the mayonnaise, mustard, brown sugar and vinegar in a bowl. Cover and refrigerate.
5. Melt the remaining 8 tablespoons butter in a shallow dish.
Dip the hot pretzels in the butter, turning to coat; place on a wire rack to let excess butter drip off. Serve the pretzels warm with the sweet mustard sauce.