Easy Pretzel Rolls

ingredients

1 and 1/2 cups (360ml) warm water (around 100°F)
2 and 1/4 teaspoons (7g) instant or active dry yeast
1 tbsp butter
1 egg white, whisked
1 teaspoon salt
1 Tablespoon brown sugar
3 and 3/4 – 4 cups (469-500g) all-purpose flour, plus more for work surface
coarse sea salt for sprinkling
1/2 cup baking soda in 9 cups water for waterbath

instructions

Whisk yeast and warm water together. Allow to sit for 1 minute. Next, add salt, brown sugar, and melted butter. Finally, slowly add 3 cups of flour, 1 cup at a time. Mix with a wooden spoon or dough hook attached to stand mixer until dough is thick. Add 3/4 cup more flour until the dough is no longer sticky. If it is still sticky, add 1/4 – 1/2 cup more, as needed. Poke the dough with your finger – if it bounces back, it is ready to knead.
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Turn the dough out onto a floured surface. Knead the dough for 3 minutes and shape into a ball. (At this point, it dough can be frozen. See freezing instructions below.) Place in a large greased bowl, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and allow to rise in a warm environment for 1 hour or until nearly doubled in size. (If you like, preheat oven to 200°F, turn it off, place the dough inside, and shut the oven.)
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Once risen, punch dough down to release any air bubbles. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and, with a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut dough into 8 sections and shape into balls.
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Preheat oven to 400. Line a 9×13 baking sheet (or pan!) with parchment paper, lightly grease and set aside.
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Bring baking soda and 9 cups of water to a boil in a large pot. Drop 1-2 pretzel rolls into the boiling water for 20 seconds on each side (do not overdo this). Using a slotted spatula, lift the pretzel roll out of the water and allow as much of the excess water to drip off. Place pretzel rolls onto prepared baking sheet or close together in the baking pan. Using a sharp knife, score a couple slits into the top of each.
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Lightly brush the tops of the buns with the beaten egg white and top with a little sea salt.
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Bake for 22-26 minutes or until a deep golden brown on all sides.