Pennsylvania Dutch Pretzels

Ingredients:

1 package fast rising yeast
1 tbsp sugar
4 1/2 cups of all purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups very warm water
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 1/2 tsp coarsely ground salt or sea salt


Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 425. Grease two baking sheets. Mix yeast, sugar, flour and salt in a large bowl. Stir in water. Mix until dough holds together.

2. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface: divide into16 portions. Roll each portion of dough into a 20 inch rope. Form into pretzel shapes.

3. Place pretzels on prepared baking sheets. Cover each sheet with a cloth. Let rise in a warm place for about 10 minutes.

4. Brush each pretzel with beaten agg. Sprinkle with coarse salt Bake pretzels until golden brown, about 15 minutes.

If you like cripier pretzels, place a small pan of boiling water on the floor of the oven during baking. The moisture evaporating in th eover dries the surface of the pretzels forming a crunchy crust.

*Compliments of Easy Everyday Cooking.