Soft Pretzels - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 (1/4 oz. each) pkg. active dry yeast
2 c. warm water (110~ to 115~)
1/2 c. sugar
2 tsp. salt
1/4 c. butter or margarine, softened
1 egg
6 1/2 to 7 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
1 egg yolk
2 Tbsp. water
coarse salt (optional)

Preparation

In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water.
Add sugar, salt, butter and egg.
Stir in 3 cups of flour; mix until smooth. Add enough additional flour to make a stiff dough.
Cover bowl tightly with foil; refrigerate for 2 to 24 hours.
Punch dough down and divide in half.
On a lightly floured surface, cut each half into 16 equal pieces.
Roll each piece into a 20-inch rope. Shape into the traditional pretzel shape and place on a greased baking sheet.
In a small bowl, combine egg yolk and water; brush over the pretzels.
Sprinkle with salt if desired.
Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 25 minutes.
Bake at 400\u00b0 for 15 minutes or until brown.
Yield:
32 pretzels.