Making pretzels takes a little more skill than Bready Bears, but wheat fun they are to eat! You can either knead the cheese into the bread dough before gathering the kids to shape the dough into pretzels; or, since the measurements needn't be exact, you can divide the bread dough and cheese and let the children do the kneading.

1 c. shredded cheese (such as sharp Cheddar, Swiss, or Monterey Jack)
1 (1 lb.) loaf frozen white bread dough, thawed according to pkg. directions

Preparation time: 20 minutes. Rising time: 15 to 20 minutes. Baking time: 12 minutes.

1. Knead cheese into dough until combined. Cover with damp, clean kitchen towel and set aside 5 minutes. Grease baking sheets.

2. Cut and divide dough into twelve equal pieces. Have children roll each piece into a rope about 4 inches long. To make pretzel, form a U-shape with piece of dough. Cross ends over each other 1 inch to 2 inch from ends and twist once. Turn down into center of U and connect each end to opposite side.

Place on baking sheets. Cover with damp kitchen towel; let rise 15 minutes or until slightly larger. Remove towel.

3. Heat oven to 400 degrees. Bake pretzels 10 to 12 minutes until lightly browned. Remove from oven to wire racks and cool completely. Yield: 12 pretzels.