#796 - Homemade Soft Pretzels

(by Shirley McNevich)

4 tsp. dry active yeast
1 tsp. white sugar + 1/2 cup white sugar
1 1/4 cups warm water
4 cups hot water
5 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp. table salt
1 TBSP canola oil or vegetable oil + more for oiling a bowl
1/2 cup baking soda
kosher salt for sprinkling


Add dry yeast, 1 tsp. white sugar and 1 1/4 cups warm water in a bowl--stir until dissolved, then let it stand for 10 minutes. In a separate bowl add the flour, 1/2 cup white sugar, and 1 1/2 tsp. table salt--add the yeast mixture and the canola/vegetable oil--mix to form the dough (if too dry add a little water). Use your hands to knead the dough until it's smooth. Use more oil to grease a bowl lightly--place the dough in the bowl and keep turning it until the dough has been oiled. Cover the bowl with a dish towel and let it rise at room temperature for 1 hour. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. In a bowl add the 4 cups hot water and the baking soda--stir until dissolved. Place the dough on the counter and cut into 10-12 even pieces. Roll each dough piece into a "snake", then twist into a pretzel shape. As you finish each pretzel, dip them into the baking soda water and place directly on to greased cookie sheets. Sprinkle the tops of each pretzel with the desired amount of kosher salt--at this point you can also sprinkle with any flavoring you like (such as dry ranch dressing mix). Bake at 450 degrees for 8-9 minutes or until brown.