Pretzels, Soft

Preheat oven to 400. Put 1 cup of warm water and all yeast into large mixing bowl. Stir until yeast is dissolved. Gradually add flour to make a very stiff dough. Sprinkle a little flour on a board and put the dough on the board. Knead by folding the farthest edge of the dough toward you and working the fold into the dough with the heels of your hands. Turn the dough around and repeat. Knead 5 min. Make into a ball and put in bowl. Cover and let stand in a warm, dark place for 30 min. Fill a large shallow pan half full of water; add baking soda, bring to a simmer. After dough has risen, put on board and punch down. Roll into 6 inch square. With a dull knife, cut the dough into strips about the size of your finger. Twist into pretzel shape and pinch ends together. Slip one at a time into simmering water. When they rise to the top, take them out with a slotted spatula and place a few inches apart on a greased cookie sheet (they will be very slippery). Beat an egg w fork. Using pastry brush, brush each with egg. Then sprinkle w coarse salt or caraway seeds. Bake until golden, about 15 min. Makes 2 doz.

Yeast 3 pkg
Flour 3c
Baking Soda 2tsp
Egg 1