my favorite treat in the whole world

Soft Pretzels! these can make any day better and put a smile on any face. they are delicious and if you put them out at a party, they go like hotcakes (although i feel like hotcakes wouldn't go very quickly)

1 package of yeast (1/4 ounce)

1 cup warm water (110 degrees to 115 degrees, it has to be within this range, any colder and it won't activate the yeast, any warmer and you'll kill it)

2 tablespoons of soft butter

1 tablespoon of sugar (it's for the yeast, it doesn't make the pretzels sweet)

1/2 teaspoon salt

2-3/4 cups flour

4 cups water

2 tablespoons baking soda

coarse salt

1. dissolve yeast in the water in a large mixing bowl. add butter sugar salt and 2 cups flour, beat until smooth. stir in the rest of the flour to form a soft dough.

2. Cover the dough and let rise in a warm place for 20 minutes

3. my favorite part, punch dough down. somehow it's just really entertaining to punch dough.

4. Put the 4 cups of water in a nonaluminum sauce pan and bring it to boil.

5. divide dough into 12 equal pieces, roll into a long strip and twist into a pretzel shape

6. add the baking soda to the water, drop two pretzels into the water and boil for a minute. remove with a slotted spoon, drain, plase on a greased baking sheet and sprinkle with salt. repeat with the rest of the pretzels

7. Bake at 475 degrees for 10-12 minutes

8. Wait a few minutes before removing the pretzels from the pan to let them cool, that way the whole of the pretzels will come off.

they will be delicious and you will enjoy!