Buns that taste and look like soft pretzels! These buns are great for sandwiches, as a dinner roll, or swap them for the traditional burger bun!
Preparation Time
1 hr 30 mins
Cooking Time
20 mins
Total Time
1 hr 50 mins
Calories
382 Calories
Recipe Instructions
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Step 2
Sprinkle yeast and 1 teaspoon sugar over 1/2 cup warm water (about 100 degrees F, 40 degrees C) in a small bowl. Let stand until yeast becomes foamy, about 5 minutes.
Step 3
Add milk, shortening, eggs, 3 cups flour, 1 tablespoon oil, 1/4 cup sugar, and salt. Blend with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Add remaining 3 cups of flour, 1/2 cup at a time, mixing well by hand after each addition. When dough comes together, turn out onto a floured surface, and knead until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes. Dough will be sticky.
Step 4
Lightly oil a large bowl. Place dough in the bowl and turn to coat in oil. Cover with a cloth and let rise in a warm place (80 to 95 degrees F (27 to 35 degrees C)) until doubled in volume, about 1 hour. Punch dough down.
Step 5
Pull off baseball size portions of dough and roll into "snakes" about 6 inches long. Roll each "snake" into a spiral to give tops some texture. Set aside.
Step 6
Mix baking soda and 4 cups hot water in a bowl (baking soda does not need to dissolve completely). Dip each bun in baking soda solution and transfer to a baking sheet. Brush each bun with melted butter and sprinkle with coarse sea salt. Bake in the preheated oven until brown, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool on a wire rack or brown paper bag.