1 pkg. yeast
1 1/2 c. warm water, 105-115 degrees
1/2 tsp. sugar (needed for yeast to rise)
4 1/2 c. flour
1 egg yolk
2 tbsp. water
Coarse salt
Sesame seeds

Dissolve yeast in warm water and add sugar. Add flour and knead for 6 minutes. Let the dough rise, covered, in a greased bowl until double in size. Divide the dough into 12 pieces and let the children roll them into long sticks. Blend the egg and the water together and have the children brush some of the mixture on their pretzels. Next let them sprinkle on some coarse salt or sesame seeds. Help the children lay their pretzels on a cookie sheet. Let the children decide whether they would like to make a regular pretzel shape, a long skinny roll or alphabet letters out of their pretzel dough. Bake at 450 degrees for 12 minutes. A crock pot on low is good for keeping pretzels warm. Makes 12 giant pretzels.