Soft Pretzels - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 1/2 c. warm water
1 pkg. dry yeast
1 egg yolk
1/2 tsp. sugar
4 1/2 c. flour
1 to 2 tsp. water or milk
coarse salt

Preparation

Mix the water, yeast and sugar in a large mixing bowl and let stand for 1 hour.
Then mix in flour.
Knead mixture for about 10 minutes.
Preheat oven for 5 minutes to warm it, then turn off heat.
Place mixture in a greased bowl.
Cover it and place in the warmed oven for about 1 hour until the mixture doubles.
When it has doubled, make twists.
Place twists on a greased baking sheet not too close together.
Dilute 1 egg yolk with 1 to 2 teaspoons water or milk.
Run a thin coat of liquid around outside of each pretzel.
Sprinkle with coarse salt.
Bake in a preheated oven at 475\u00b0 for 12 to 15 minutes until they are golden brown.
Yields about 2 dozen.