Jalapeño Cheddar Soft Pretzels

Ingredients:

For the dough:

1 1/2 cups warm water (110°F)
2 tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
1 tsp sugar
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tbsp unsalted butter (melted)
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese (shredded)
2-3 fresh jalapeños (finely chopped, seeds removed for less heat)
1 tbsp olive oil (for greasing)
For the baking soda bath:

4 cups water
1/4 cup baking soda
For the topping:

1 egg (beaten, for egg wash)
Coarse sea salt (for sprinkling)
 Instructions:

Make the dough:

In a small bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5 minutes until it becomes frothy.
In a large bowl, mix together the flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture, melted butter, cheddar cheese, and chopped jalapeños. Stir until the dough starts to come together.
Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5-7 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic. If using a stand mixer, knead with the dough hook attachment for about 4-5 minutes.
Lightly oil the bowl, place the dough in, and cover with a clean towel. Let it rise for about 45 minutes to an hour, or until it doubles in size.
Shape the pretzels:

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
Once the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into 8 equal pieces.
Roll each piece of dough into a long rope (about 18-20 inches long). Shape each rope into a pretzel by forming a U-shape, then crossing the ends over each other and twisting them.
Place the shaped pretzels onto the prepared baking sheet.
Prepare the baking soda bath:

In a large pot, bring 4 cups of water to a boil and add the baking soda. (Careful—this will bubble up!)
Carefully drop each pretzel into the boiling water for about 30 seconds. Use a slotted spoon to remove them and place them back onto the baking sheet.
Bake the pretzels:

Brush each pretzel with the beaten egg to give them a shiny golden finish.
Sprinkle with coarse sea salt for that classic pretzel touch!
Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown.
Serve:

Let the pretzels cool slightly before serving, and get ready for the cheesy, spicy goodness! Serve with a side of mustard or your favorite dipping sauce.