Pretzel Dogs

These are a really cute change from the usual boring hot dogs. The pretzel dough is a basic soft pretzel dough, and you can have lots of fun playing around with it: Cheese Pretzels, Pretzel Bites etc. You can freeze formed pretzels raw, and then dip them (frozen) into the baking soda solution when you are ready to bake them. 

• Prezel Dogs
• • 1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 1/8 teaspoons salt
  • 1 1/2 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup bread flour*
  • 2 cups hot water 
  • 2 tablespoons baking soda
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tablespoons coarse kosher salt

(12 hot dogs)

In a large mixing bowl, dissolve the yeast, brown sugar and salt in 1 1/2 cups warm water. Stir in flour, and knead dough on a floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, and turn to coat the surface. Cover, and let rise for one hour.
Combine 2 cups warm water and baking soda in an 8 inch square pan. After dough has risen, cut into 12 pieces. Roll each piece into a long rope and wrap around hot dog, tucking the end under. Dip into the baking soda solution and shake off excess water. Place on parchment covered cookie sheets, and let rise 15 to 20 minutes.Brush with egg and sprinkle on salt. Bake at 450 degrees F (230 degrees C) for 8 to 10 minutes, or until golden brown. 

* I used all regular flour and it was fine.