Soft salty pretzels

MAKES 12 PREP + COOK TIME 1 HOUR (+ STANDING + COOLING)

2 cups (500ml) milk, warmed

1⁄3 cup (75g) firmly packed brown sugar 4 teaspoons (14g) dried yeast

4½ cups (675g) plain flour 2 teaspoons coarse cooking salt 60g butter, chopped, at room temperature

½ cup (140g) bicarbonate of soda

1 tablespoon sea salt flakes 1 tablespoon fennel seeds 1 tablespoon poppy seeds 1 tablespoon sesame seeds