Add milk, yeast, and brown sugar to a stand mixer bowl. Mix to combine.
Add oil and salt. Mix.
Add flour and knead for 6-8 minutes or until windowpane is achieved.
Place dough in an oiled bowl to rise for 30-40 minutes or until doubled.
Preheat the oven to 425F In a large pot, combine the 8 cups of water and the baking soda and bring to a boil. Punch dough down and divide into 10 pieces.
Roll each piece into a long thin rope. (22"-24" long)
Shape into a pretzel shape. Let shaped pretzels rise for 10 minutes covered so they don't dry out.
Gently put the pretzels in the boiling baking soda water for a total of 30 seconds. I do 15 seconds for each side and I fit 2 pretzels in my pot at a time. *or do the baking soda water dip in this step if not boiling them. Lift pretzels out of water with a slotted spoon, spider strainer, etc. Drain off excess water, place on a parchment lined baking sheet and top with coarse pretzel salt if desired.
Bake for 12-14 minutes. This may slightly vary among ovens. Mine are perfect at the 12 minute mark.
Remove fromfrom the ovenoven and brush with melted butter and serve with your favorite dip!
