1 packet or 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
1 cup warm water (100 to 110 °F )
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons sugar
Mixing bowl
Baking sheet
Measuring spoons
Measuring cup
Mixing spoon
Preheat oven to 425 °F. Lightly grease 2 baking sheets.
In large bowl, sprinkle yeast over warm water. Stir until well blended.
Combine sugar, salt and 2-1/2 to 3 cups flour to make a soft dough. Add more flour if it is too sticky.
Put flour on a clean cutting board or counter. Place dough ball in the center.
Knead 5 to 7 minutes until dough is smooth and elastic.
Cut dough into 12 even pieces (about golf-ball sized).
Roll one piece of dough into 15 inch long rope.
Cross left side over middle, creating loop.
Fold right side over first loop to form pretzel shape.
Place pretzels 3 inches apart on baking sheet.
Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown.
The pretzels are best if eaten while still warm.
New Ulm is located in south-central Minnesota.
Some families in New Ulm have German heritage.
Traditional German foods include sauerkraut, bratwust and schnitzel (a thin slice of meat).
New Ulm features a 45-foot-tall Glockenspiel, a musical clock that chimes throughout the day.
Photo credit: New Ulm Chamber
What does the soft pretzel look like? How does it smell? How does it taste?
What other foods could you add to the soft pretzel?
What is something nice you can do for someone tomorrow?
Practice saying hello and good-bye in German:
Hello is Hallo (pronounced hah-loh)
Good-bye is Verabschiedung (pronounced ver-ab-schie-dung)
Trying new foods can be an exciting adventure for kids! If your child is hesitant, here are three ways to make it fun:
Read about it: Share children's books about food to spark their curiosity and excitement.
Explore together: Encourage your child to touch, smell, and taste the new food. Start with small bites.
Get them involved: Let your child help prepare meals or snacks that include the new food—it’s fun and builds interest.
This activity helps preschoolers explore colors in nature:
Take your child outside to a park, backyard, or any natural area.
Bring along paint sample cards from a store or a set of crayons in different colors.
Ask your child to look for things in nature that match the colors on the paint samples or crayons.