2/3 c. dry milk
1/2 c. sugar
2 tsp. salt
2 c. lukewarm water
2 cakes yeast (or equivalent in dry yeast)
2 eggs
1/2 c. shortening
7 to 7 1/2 c. flour
butter
Powdered sugar
Nuts and cherries

Mix dry milk, sugar, salt, and water. Stir in mixing bowl. Stir in yeast until it dissolves. Add eggs and shortening and stir in. Add flour, cup by cup, beating in with mixer on high speed until about half the flour is used. Mix in remaining flour. Knead until smooth. Let rise until double. Punch down and let rise again. Take half of dough and roll it to form a long strip and shape into a pretzel, twisting once at the center. Repeat with remaining half. Bake about 20 minutes at 350 degrees. Remove from oven and brush with butter. Frost while still warm with a thin powdered sugar and water frosting. Sprinkle with chopped nuts or decorate with candied cherries.