Marinda's Soft Baked Pretzels

1 package (.25 oz.) Active dry yeast (= 1 TBSP)

2 TBSP brown sugar

1 1/8 tsp. Salt

1 ½ cup warm water

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup bread flour

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2 cups warm water

2 TBSP baking soda

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2 TBSP butter, melted

1-2 TBSP coarse kosher salt or cinnamon sugar

In a large mixing bowl, add yeast, brown sugar and salt. Test water temperature with thermometer. When it reads 110 degrees, add to bowl. Stir to dissolve. Add both types of flour and stir well.

Place dough on floured surface. Knead dough until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes. ** (To knead dough, press down on dough with your palm, fold the dough over and rotate 1/4 turn, repeat until dough is ready.) Grease a large bowl. Place dough in bowl then turn dough upside down to coat the surface. Cover with a towel and let rise for one hour in a warm spot.

Combine 2 cups warm water (test again for 110 degrees) and baking soda in an 8-inch square pan. After the dough has risen, divide it into 12 pieces. Roll each piece into a 1.5 foot rope, ½ inch wide. Twist into a pretzel shape, and dip into the baking soda solution. Place on cookie sheets with parchment paper and let rise 15 to 20 minutes.

Bake at 450 F for 8 minutes or until golden brown. Brush with melted butter, and then sprinkle with coarse salt or cinnamon sugar.

**Marinda’s note — although I haven’t timed it, in the Kitchen-Aide it might be about 3 minutes that I knead the dough. Also I use some whole wheat flour for the all-purpose flour.

**Kristi's note - the first time I made these I burned my motor on my kitchen aid and now do it by hand.

Annie Kate has the best, I mean the best A'days leaders. They have been teaching the girls a recipe each month that they can make at home and then at the end of the year are putting it in a cookbook for them. One of the mom's of the girls comes in to teach their favorite recipe. This has so boosted AK's confidence by having something that she feels like she can make. The morning of her birthday she made her own crepes! The Pretzel recipe was one of the months. So, if my 9 year old can make this anyone can. We have had a few kids over from school each week to make these with us and double it so that they can take some home. When one of AK's friends came over one day she said, "everything in your home feels old fashioned - you make your own food and you are playing songs about Jesus" That could have been the best compliment I have ever been given. If that is Old Fashioned, I will take that any day of the week.