Pretzel Bread Bowls

I have been wanting to try bread bowls for a while. So, when searching for recipes, I came across this pretzel version on this website: http://www.abeautifulmess.com/2013/10/homemade-pretzel-bread-bowls.html. They were delicious. The kids ate theirs without any filling inside. The possibilities are endless with what you could put inside. Tonight, we did homemade mac and cheese inside the bowl. 

Ingredients: 

3 Tbsp butter

2 cups hot water

1 Tbsp brown sugar

1 Tbsp yeast

6 cups flour

2 teas salt

8-10 cups water

1/3 cup baking soda

2 Tbsp melted butter

course pretzel salt

In a stand mixer, combine the butter, hot water, and brown sugar. Sprinkle the yeast on top. Let that sit for about 5 minutes. Then stir in the proofed yeast. Add three cups of flour. I mixed that together with a wooden spoon. Then, using the hook attachment for my mixer, I added another three cups of flour, one cup at a time. 

Place the dough in a warm oven for about an hour or until doubled. 

Punch the dough down and separate into 8 balls. Place the balls on a greased baking sheet and cover.  Let that sit for about 15 minutes. 

Meanwhile, put 8-10 cups of water in a large pan. Let them come to a very slow boil. 

Add the 1/3 cup baking soda to the water. Then put one of the dough balls in the slowly boiling water. Flip it after about 22 seconds. Cook on the other side for another 22 seconds. Place on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper.

Repeat for the remaining 7 dough balls. Then, using a sharp knife, cut an "X" in each dough ball. 

Melt 2 Tbsp of butter and spread over the top of the dough balls. Sprinkle with course salt. 

Bake at 400 degrees for 17 minutes or until pretty brown on top. You can dig out as much of the soft inside dough as you want. It comes out very easily.