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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.
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2
Add the flours, butter, sugar and salt, and mix on low speed while slowly adding the second 1/2 cup of warm water.
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3
Stir for one minute, adding more flour or water as needed to make a mosit dough, but not sticky.
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4
Knead with the dough hook until the dough is smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes.
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5
Move the dough to an oiled bowl and turn it once to coat with oil.
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6
Looosely cover the dough with plastic wrap and let stand for 1 to 1/2 hours until doubled in volume.
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7
Punch down the dough and divide into 12 pieces, and roll each piece into a ball on an unfloured work surface.
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8
Loosely cover with oiled plastic wrap and let sit for 10 minutes.
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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).
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10
Let the pretzels sit for 35 minutes.
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11
Boil the 8 cups of water and the baking soda, and reduce to a simmer.
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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.
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13
Sprinkle with salt, and put the pretzels in a preheated 400 degree oven.
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14
Bake until golden brown, about 15 minutes.
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15
Cool, and enjoy!
