DSF's Pretzel Bread

So, I have been on a search for the perfect pretzel recipe for a long time, as I LOVE pretzels. I found a recipe online, and did a complete overhaul to have the pretzel taste I love so much. The great thing about this recipe is that if you want pretzels in the traditional form or loaves, they both taste amazing.

Original recipe makes 2 small loaves

Ingredients

1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
1 tablespoon honey
1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
1 cup warm water – 100 to 110 degrees F (40 to 45 degrees C)
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2 tablespoons half-and-half
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
2 cups bread flour, or more if needed
1 teaspoon unsalted butter
cooking spray
5 tablespoons baking soda
3 tablespoons honey, or to taste
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon unsalted butter, melted

PREP

30 mins
COOK

20 mins
READY IN

2 hrs

Directions

Stir dark brown sugar, 1 tablespoon honey, and yeast into warm water in a large bowl, dissolving sugar and yeast. Let stand until a foamy layer forms on the water, about 10 minutes. Stir 3 tablespoons melted butter, half-and-half, and salt into yeast mixture.
Beat 1 cup flour to wet ingredients, forming a wet, sloppy dough. Turn dough out onto a floured work surface and gradually knead remaining 1 cup flour into dough until dough is only slightly sticky, about 10 more minutes. Add more flour if dough is too wet. Form dough into a ball.
Grease a large bowl with 1 teaspoon butter; place dough ball into bowl and turn to lightly coat with butter. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm area until doubled, 1 hour to 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray.
Stir baking soda and 3 tablespoons honey (if you like a sweeter crust) into a large pot of water and bring to a full rolling boil. Punch down dough and divide in half. Form each half into a small loaf. Carefully drop a loaf into the boiling water and cook for 30 seconds on each side. Dough should float. Remove loaf gently and let excess water drip off; place loaf on prepared baking sheet. Boil the second loaf, following same steps, and place onto baking sheet.
Sprinkle each loaf lightly with salt. Use a sharp knife to cut an X shape into the top of each loaf.
Bake on a center rack in preheated oven for 10 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 400 degrees F (205 degrees C) and continue baking until crust is shiny and browned and loaves are done in the middle, 10 more minutes. For a softer crust, brush tops of loaves with melted butter.