Soft Pretzels

Directions

1. 1
   Put the 1/2 cup warm water and the yeast in the bowl of a mixer and let stand until the yeast is dissolved, which will take about 5 minutes.
2. 2
   Add the flours, butter, sugar and salt, and mix on low speed while slowly adding the second 1/2 cup of warm water.
3. 3
   Stir for one minute, adding more flour or water as needed to make a mosit dough, but not sticky.
4. 4
   Knead with the dough hook until the dough is smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes.
5. 5
   Move the dough to an oiled bowl and turn it once to coat with oil.
6. 6
   Looosely cover the dough with plastic wrap and let stand for 1 to 1/2 hours until doubled in volume.
7. 7
   Punch down the dough and divide into 12 pieces, and roll each piece into a ball on an unfloured work surface.
8. 8
   Loosely cover with oiled plastic wrap and let sit for 10 minutes.
9. 9
   Roll each ball into an 18 inch long rope, and twist into a pretzel shape (pull the rope into an oval, twist the ends, and pull the oval down over itself).
10. 10
    Let the pretzels sit for 35 minutes.
11. 11
    Boil the 8 cups of water and the baking soda, and reduce to a simmer.
12. 12
    Putting in a few pretzels at a time, let the pretzels sit in the simmering water for 30 sceconds, then flip them, and keep them in for another 30 seconds.
13. 13
    Sprinkle with salt, and put the pretzels in a preheated 400 degree oven.
14. 14
    Bake until golden brown, about 15 minutes.
15. 15
    Cool, and enjoy!