Soft Pretzels - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 pkg. dry yeast
1 tsp. salt (optional)
4 1/2 c. flour
3 c. boiling water
dash of salt (kosher type; optional)
1 1/2 c. warm water
2 heaping tsp. brown sugar
1 Tbsp. baking soda

Preparation

Dissolve yeast in the 1 1/2 cups warm water. Add salt, brown sugar and flour.
Knead until smooth.
Cover with cloth and let rise 15 minutes.
Taking small amount of dough, roll out into a rope.
Lift ends and cross over.
Twist and tack ends into top of pretzel (by pressing gently).
Continue with rest of dough. Taking pretzels, one at a time, place in boiling soda water for 1 minute.
Place on greased cookie sheets and sprinkle with kosher salt.
Bake at 450\u00b0 for 15 to 20 minutes. Serve immediately. Makes approximately 16.