Activate the yeast: Get some water to a boil and then pour it into a medium-sized bowl. Once the water has cooled down to 110 to 115 degrees Fahrenheit (44 degrees celsius) add in the yeast, brown sugar, salt, and melted butter. Whisk these ingredients together and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes. You will know that your yeast has been activated once you start to see little bubbles form at the top of the water.

Make the dough: Add the water/yeast mixture to a stand mixer with the dough hook attachment. Place the mixer on a low speed and add in 1 cup of flour. Let the water/yeast mixture and the flour combine, then add in another cup of flour. Repeat this step and add in the third cup of flour. At this point, you will only want to add ¼ cup of flour each time until the dough is slightly tacky, but no longer sticky. I ended up using 3½ cups of flour, but it can differ for you. Alternatively, you can do this step in a large mixing bowl, using either a wooden spoon or better yet your hands.

Remove the bowl from the stand mixer, cover it with either plastic wrap or a clean towel, and let the dough rise for 15 to 20 minutes.

While the dough is rising you will need to prep two things. First preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, or 205 degrees celsius. Secondly, add the 6 cups of water and ⅓ cup of baking soda to a large pot, and place it over medium heat until it comes to a low boil.

Form the pretzels: Turn the pretzel dough onto a lightly floured surface, and use either a sharp knife or a bench scraper to divide the dough into 8 equal portions. Then take one portion and use your hands to roll it out into a roughly 2-foot long rope. Next, lay this rope out into a U-shape. Take the two ends of the rope and twist them over and under each other. Finally, take this twist and fold it back on to the bottom of the “U”. Place this on either a parchment-lined or silicone mat lined baking sheath. Repeat this step until all portions of dough are formed into pretzel shapes.

Give the pretzels a bath in the baking soda solution: Make sure that the baking soda solution is at a low boil. Then use either a large slotted spoon or a slotted spatula and gently place one pretzel in this bath. Let the pretzel cook in this bath for 30 seconds making sure to use the spoon/spatula to splash some of the water over the top of the pretzel. After the 30 seconds take the pretzel out, make sure it drains completely, and place it back on your baking sheet. Repeat this step with all of the pretzels.

Bake the pretzels: Sprinkle some coarse salt over the tops of each pretzel. Then place them in your oven and let them bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until they are nicely brown in color. Take the pretzels out of the oven and let them cool for a couple of minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack.

Your soft pretzels are now done, make sure to enjoy them while they are still nice and warm.