Pretzels - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 c. water
2 Tbsp. sugar
2 pkg. dry yeast (fast acting yeast will have the dough ready in half the time)
1 egg
3 1/2 to 4 c. flour (approximately)
coarse salt (kosher)

Preparation

Stir the yeast, sugar and warm water together in a large bowl until the yeast is dissolved. Set aside to \"proof\" or get foamy (about 15 to 20 minutes).
After the yeast proofs, stir in the flour, a little at a time, until the dough is stiff.
Knead on a floured surface for 3 to 5 minutes.
Form the dough into a ball and place it in a buttered bowl. Cover with a dish towel and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size.
After the dough has risen, punch it down (the fun part!) and roll it into a rectangle. Cut fat strips to shape into pretzels.
Any shape your child comes up with is a pretzel!
Beat the egg with a fork and brush onto pretzels.
Sprinkle on salt to taste. Bake in a 400\u00b0 oven for 10 to 15 minutes or until brown.