Homemade Soft Pretzels

This is the second time I have made these and they are so good! I'm pretty sure that I found this recipe on the Food Network. I was running short on time, so I just gave them a quick twist instead of shaping into pretzels.

Ingredients:

• 1 c milk
• 1 package active dry yeast
• 3 tbsp packed light brown sugar
• 2 1/4 c all-purpose flour, plus more for kneading
  
• 10 tbsp butter, plus more for greasing
  
• 1 tsp regular salt
• 1/3 c baking soda
• 2 tbsp coarse salt
  

Directions:

• Heat milk in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Pour into a medium bowl and sprinkle in the yeast. Allow the yeast to sit, about 2 minutes.
  
• Stir in brown sugar and add 1 c flour.
  
• Dice 2 tbsp butter and soften; stir into mix.
  
• Add the remaining 1 1/4 c flour and salt to make a stick dough.
  
• On a lightly floured surface, knead the dough until smooth but still slightly tacky; about 5 minutes (add more flour if needed, 1 tbsp at a time).

• Shape dough and place into greased bowl. Cover with plastic and allow to rise in a warm spot until doubled, about 1 hour.
  
• Preheat oven to 450 and grease a large baking sheet.
  
• Divide dough into 6 pieces. Roll and stretch each piece with your hands into a 30-inch rope. Form into pretzel shapes.
  
• Dissolve baking soda in 3 c warm water in shallow baking dish. Gently dip each pretzel in the baking soda solution. Arrange on the prepared baking sheet.
• Sprinkle with coarse salt.
  
• Bake until golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes.
  
• Take soft pretzels out of the oven. Melt the remaining 8 tbsp of butter, dip the hot pretzels in melted butter.
  
• Place on a wire rack to let excess butter drip off.
  
• Serve warm and enjoy!