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["Combine the sugar and salt in a the bowl of your stand mixer. Add warm water and dissolve. Sprinkle with the yeast packet and let sit 5 minutes, until the yeast starts to bubble.", "Attach your dough hook to the stand mixer. Add melted butter and flour to the bowl and mix on low for a couple minutes. Then mix on medium for 5 minutes, until the dough pulls away from the sides. (Add a bit more flour if necessary). Remove dough from bowl, lightly oil the bowl with vegetable oil, then put dough back in bowl. Cover and set in a warm place to let dough rise, until it doubles in size. Approx 45 min-1 hour.", "Turn oven on to 450 degrees. Lightly oil 2 baking sheets and set aside.", "Bring the 8 cups of water and baking soda to a full boil.", "Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces. One by one, form into a ball, then roll out into a 24"" rope. Make a ""U"" with the rope, then cross the ends of the rope over each other one full time to make an ""X"" (with the U still at the bottom). Bring the ends down to the bottom of the U and press into the U of the dough, forming a pretzel shape.", "Carefully (with a slotted spatula) place the dough pretzel into the boiling water for 45 seconds. Remove with the spatula and place on the oiled baking sheet. Repeat with each section of the dough. You should have 4 pretzels on each baking sheet.", "Brush with the egg yolk/water mixture and sprinkle liberally with coarse salt. Bake for 12-15 minutes. Remove from oven and place on cooling rack for a few minutes. Break out the dipping sauces and dig in!"]
