Aunt Annie's Soft Pretzels

Jill Dorrough

Makes 12 pretzels

1 1/2 cup warm water
1 1/8 tsp  (half packet) active dry yeast
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 1/8 tsp salt
4 cups flour (Jill uses kamut flour)  She purchases from The Food Nanny.

2 cups warm water
2 tablespoons baking soda

Bake at 450 for about 10-12 minutes.  Til light browned.

to taste coarse salt
4 tablespoons 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 Tbsp of baking soda.  Be certain to stir oftern.  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 in soda solution and place on greased baking sheet.  Allow pretzels to rise again.  Bake in 450 oven for about 10 minutes or until golden.  Brush with melted butter and salt and enjoy!

Toppings:  after you brush with butter try sprinkling with coarse salt, or cinnamon sugar.