Procedure

1) Tip the flour into a clean bowl and make a well in the centre. Add the sugar, yeast, lukewarm milk and the whisked egg. Let this mixture sit for a while and when you see the yeast working, add the remaining dough ingredients and knead until you get a smooth dough. Cover and let it rise in a warm place for about 30 minutes.

2) Divide the risen dough into 12 equal pieces. Using your hands, roll each piece into a long rope.

3) To form logs into pretzels, lay the rope in a U-shape.  Take the two ends and cross them over. Take the ends, lift them backwards and press them into the curve of the U-shape. Repeat with the remaining ropes. Cover and let rise for additional 20 minutes.

4) Preheat the oven to 200C / 180C fan.

4) Fill a bigger saucepan with water, bring to the boil, add the baked bicarbonate soda, then reduce the heat to a low simmer. Add the pretzels gently into the pan, one at a time, and cook for 80 secs.

5) Use a slotted spoon to gently lift the pretzels from the pan and place them on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Brush with the egg wash and sprinkle with poppy seeds, sesame seeds and/or salt flakes.

6) Bake in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes or until dark brown, but not burnt!

7) Cool the pretzels down before serving. Enjoy!