Soft Pretzels

Ingredients

• 4 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 teaspoon white sugar
• 1 1/4 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
• 5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup baking soda
• 4 cups hot water
• 1/4 cup salt, for topping

Directions

- In a small bowl, dissolve yeast and 1 teaspoon sugar in warm water. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.

- In a large bowl, mix together flour, 1/2 cup sugar, and salt.

- Make a well in the center; add the oil and yeast mixture. Mix and form into a dough. If the mixture is dry, add one or two tablespoons of water.

- Knead the dough until smooth, about 7 to 8 minutes. Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat with oil.

- Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

- Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. In a large bowl, dissolve baking soda in hot water.

- When risen, turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and divide into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a rope and twist into a pretzel shape.

- Once all of the dough is all shaped, dip each pretzel into the baking soda solution and place on a greased baking sheet.

- Sprinkle with salt. Bake in preheated oven for 8 minutes, until browned.