Yeast Mix:

--In mixing bowl, add yeast, brown sugar, salt and water (120-130 F).
--Whisk well and put aside for 5 minutes or until frothy on top.
--Add 1/4 cup of vegetable oil to the yeast mix and whisk again.

Making the dough:

--Add flour to the mixing bowl and using dough hook with the stand mixer..
--Knead the dough for five (5) minutes on the number 2 setting.
--After 5 minutes, remove the dough and knead by hand for 1 minute.

Proofing:

--Oil the mixing bowl, shape the dough into a ball and put into mixing bowl.
--Cover bowl and put into your oven next to the light (turn on the oven light).
--Let this "proof" in the oven for one (1) hour or until it doubles in size.

-After the dough has doubled in size, dump dough on clean silicone or plastic surface.
--Do not punch the dough down. We want this as light and "poofy" as we can get it.
--Roll the dough into a ball shape.

Working the dough:

--Using a dough blade or knife, cut the dough ball into six (6) equal parts. [A]
--Roll each part into six separate balls. [B]
--After rolling each into smaller balls, roll and stretch the dough balls into long ropes. [C]

Dough Working Tips:

[Tip A]: (Each part should be about 170 grams).
[Tip B]: I find it useful to let the dough "rest" for five (5) minutes before stretching and rolling into ropes. This allows for gluten to relax and align their protein chains.
[Tip C]: These ropes should be approximately 2 feet long.
[Tip C]: The diameter of the rolled dough ropes should be about 1.5 inches.

Cook Prep:

--Preheat oven to 450 F degrees.
--Line a large cookie tray with parchment paper.

Baking Soda Bath:

--Using a standard 9x9, fill a cake pan with hot water and 1/4 cup of baking soda.
--Dip each pretzel into the baking soda water.
--Fully immerse for 5 seconds and put on the cookie tray.

Egg Wash:

--Use one large room temperature egg with 2 tablespoons of milk to make egg wash.
--Using a silicone brush, brush each pretzels with the egg wash on all exposed sides.
--Using Kosher salt, liberally sprinkle it over each pretzel.

Baking:

--Bake on middle rack for about 10 minutes.
--Some ovens are different so check frequently for the level of browning that you like
-- (for me, it was 12 minutes)

Optional: Brush each pretzel with butter (or ghee) for an extra savory taste.