How to Make Soft Pretzels

Ingredients

• 1 package yeas
• 11/2 cups warm water
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 4-5 cups flour
• Pretzel salt
• 1 TBSP baking soda
• 1 QT pan of simmering water on stove
• Slotted Wide Spoon
  

Steps

1. Combine water and yeast in a large bowl.
2. Add sugar and salt.
3. Add flour until you have a stiff, pliable dough.
4. Place on floured surface. Knead the dough for about 5 to 8 minutes, this will let the gluten develop and the dough more flexible to work with.
5. Shape the dough in whatever form you want.See the tips to learn how to make a pretzel shape. Have fun with it! When your shape is complete, Let it rest on a greased sheet until the pretzels look raised a bit.
6. Take pan of simmering hot water and mix in baking soda. Stir & Bring to a gentle boil. This mixture makes the distinctive shine and taste of Pennsylvania Dutch pretzels and is the SECRET to great pretzel taste!
7. Place pretzel on slotted spoon. Quickly dip your formed pretzel into the saucepan and lift up after 10 seconds. Do not let it sit there too long. Then place back on the greased sheet. Sprinkle with pretzel salt.
8. Bake at 425ºF for 6-7 minutes, or until golden. Cool on wire racks. May be frozen for future use.

Tips

• Pretzel history is that the shape was created by monks as a token for children who learned their prayers. To make this make a loop , double twist and flip over, press the "arms" into the dough.
• Pretzels are fun to use to teach children how to learn the alphabet and also spell. Some children learn best by touching.

Warnings

• SUPERVISION NEEDED FOR BOILING WATER AND HOT STOVE.
• While soft pretzels are best eaten when warm, be careful while handling the pretzels that come straight out of the oven! Let the pretzels cool first for a couple of minutes. Cooled pretzels may be frozen and reheated.