Auntie Ann's Pretzels

Auntie Ann's Pretzels



1 1/2 cup warm water

1 1/8 tsp. active yeast (1 1/2 pkg)

2 Tbs. brown sugar

1 1/8 tsp. salt

1 cup bread flour

3 cups regular flour

2 cups warm water

2 Tbs. baking soda

To taste coarse salt

2-4 Tbs. butter (melted)



Sprinkle yeast on lukewarm water in mixing bowl; stir to dissolve. Add sugar, salt, and stir to dissolve; add flour and knead dough until smooth and elastic. Let rise at least 1/2 hour.

While dough is rising, prepare a baking soda water bath with 2 cups warm water and 2 Tbs. baking soda. Be certain to stir often.

After dough has risen, pinch off bits of dough and roll into a long rope (about 1/2 inch or less thick) and shape. Dip pretzel into soda solution and place on greased baking sheet. Allow pretzel to rise again. Bake in a 450 degree oven for about 10 minutes or until golden. Brush with melted butter and enjoy!

Toppings:

After you brush with butter try sprinkling with coarse salt.

Or for Auntie Anne's famous cinnamon sugar, try melting a stick of butter in a shallow bowl( big enough to fit the entire pretzel) and in another bowl, make a mixture of cinnamon and sugar. dip the pretzel into the butter, coating both sides generously. then dip again into the cinnamon mixture.