Pretzels - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 pkg. active dry yeast
1 C. warm water
2 Tbsp. butter, softened
1 Tbsp. sugar
1 1/2 tsp. salt
2 3/4 to 3 C. flour
2 C. hot water
3 Tbsp. baking soda
2 to 3 Tbsp. coarse salt crystals or kosher salt

Preparation

Soften yeast in warm water in large bowl. Add butter, sugar, salt and 1 1/2 cups of flour. Blend well. Beat 3 minutes at medium speed. By hand, gradually add remaining flour to form soft dough. Knead dough for about 1 minute, until no longer sticky. Shape into a ball, cover and let raise in greased bowl in warm place about 45 to 60 minutes until doubled in size. Shape into pretzel shapes. Place on greased cookie sheets. Cover, let raise 30 minutes. Heat water and baking soda in 2 qt. pan. Gently drop pretzels into hot solution. Take out with a slotted spoon after they have floated to the top and then place on greased cookie sheet. Sprinkle with salt. Bake at 375 degrees for 18 to 20 minutes.