Step 1

Preheat oven at 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.

Step 2

Lukewarm milk and water for dough and pour in a wide mixing bowl. Mix in sugar. Mix in yeast and let sit undisturbed for 10-15 minutes until yeast has bloomed.

Step 3

Add two cups of flour, salt, and melted (room temperature, not hot) butter and mix with spatula to bring dough together.

Step 4

With dough hook attached, knead dough for 5 minutes, adding 1 tbsp of flour of remaining dough at a time. (dough should not be very dry). Remove dough in a clean oiled bowl, cover with clean kitchen towel and set aside at warm place for 1-2 hour.

Step 5

Place in warm place for 1-2 hour or until dough more than double in size.

Step 6

Punch down the dough.

Step 7

Remove to a work board and divide into 8 equal portions. (oil your hands as needed so as to easily handle soft dough)

Step 8

While start working on dough, set oven to preheat and also heat a deep-wide pan with 4-5 cups of water until water starts boiling.Take one portion of dough at a time and make a long rope. Place rope on board in U shape, then twist the ends inward, cutting each other and place opposite bottom edges of the U. Wet your hands and attach ends onto edges to seal. (Make sure to leave some loose end hanging or pretzel loop will open during the cooking.)

Step 9

Add baking soda in boiling water and mix well. Add one pretzel at a time and let it dip in soda-bath for 20 secs (make sure to coat both sides in water or pretzel will not color properly.). Remove on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Repeat steps 8-9 with all of the remaining dough.

Step 10

Then, bake in preheated oven for 8-10 minutes or until tops are dark golden brown.

Step 11

Remove from oven and brush the melted butter on pretzels. Dust with flaky sea salt. Transfer to cooling rack to cool slightly. Serve while still warm with cheese dipping sauce. Enjoy!