Pretzels- Soft

submitted by Amy Hay from Joyce Parker
country of origin: Europe

Ingredients
1 pkg fast-acting yeast (1 Tbsp)
1 1/2 cups warm water
1/4 cup brown sugar
4 to 4 1/2 cups flour
baking soda Kosher salt (or black sesame w/salt, etc.)

Directions
Combine yeast, water, and sugar. Let stand 5 minutes. Add flour and beat mixture with a fork until smooth. Let stand 5 minutes, while bringing deep pan full of water to a boil. (For every cup of water, add 2 Tbsp baking soda.) Divide dough into 12 equal parts. Roll into ropes and twist into pretzel shape. Using a large slotted spoon, lower each pretzel into the boiling water for 10 seconds. Remove and arrange pretzels on greased baking sheet. (Brush lightly with melted butter if desired.) Sprinkle with salt. Bake at 450 ̊F (230 ̊C) until lightly browned, about 12 to 15 minutes.

• preparation time: 40 min.
• makes: 12 servings
• Another variation adds 1 tsp salt and changes the sugar to 1 tsp sugar and omits dipping the pretzel into boiling water before baking. Instead it brushes the pretzel with a beaten egg before baking.