4 c. bread flour
1 1/2 c. warm water
2 tsp. active yeast
1 tsp. salt
1 tbsp. white sugar

Dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup warm water. Then stir in additional 1 cup water. Add sugar and salt. Pour into a bowl and beat in flour until you have a stiff dough. Turn out on a floured surface and knead a few minutes. Put in a greased bowl and spread with butter. Cover with cloth and let rise until double in size.

Shape as pretzels, about as thick as your little finger. Dip in soda water until it floats. Remove and drain. Sprinkle with salt (pretzel salt is the best). Place on a greased cookie sheet and bake at 475 degrees about 12 minutes or until brown. Serve warm. (NOTE: Set dough at a warm place to rise.)

SODA SOLUTION:

4 c. boiling water
3 tsp. baking soda

Bring water to a boil and add soda and then dip pretzels.

HINT: Pinch edges of pretzels tight when shaping.