Chocolate Pretzels with Sea Salt

1. Within the bowl of a standing electric mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine 2 tablespoons of the warm water with the yeast and let stand till foamy. Add the last 1 1/3 cups of warm water alongside with the sugar and swirl to dissolve the sugar. Add the flour and mix at medium-low bustle till a firm, pliable dough types.

2. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and knead for 2 minutes. Roll the dough into a 2-foot-prolonged sausage. Chop the dough into 20 items. Cowl with plastic and a moist material and let relaxation for 10 minutes.

3. Roll every portion of dough into a 12-lag-prolonged rope. To make pretzels, form every rope into a U; imperfect the two aspects of the U over every other, twist and press the ends down on the pretzel. Field up the pretzels on a lightly floured surface about 1-lag apart and cloak with lightly oiled plastic wrap. Let the pretzels relaxation for half-hour.

4. Preheat the oven to 425°. In a smooth stockpot, elevate the wintry water to a boil. Add the baking soda. Moderately lunge 5 of the pretzels into the boiling water and boil for 30 seconds, turning once. The employ of a slotted spoon, switch the pretzels to a rack to drain precise-facet up; sprinkle lightly with salt. Repeat with the last pretzels, in 3 batches.

5. Evenly oil 2 baking sheets. Field up the pretzels on the baking sheets and bake on the higher and center racks of the oven for approximately 10 minutes, or till browned in every single place; shift the pans from top to bottom and motivate to entrance midway thru if fundamental, for even baking. Let the pretzels wintry on the baking sheets for approximately 5 minutes, then switch them to a rack. Inspire warm or at room temperature, with mustard.

Create Ahead

The pretzels shall be frozen for as a lot as 1 month. Thaw, then reheat in a 350° oven sooner than serving.