Pretzels

In a bowl add warm water and yeast. Let stand for 5 minutes and then stir with a wooden spoon until blended. Add sugar, salt, and 1 cup of flour and stir. Add 2 more cups of flour 1/2 cup at a time and stir until blended.

Turn the dough out onto a clean surface using remaining flour to dust the area. Knead until the dough is smooth and elastic, add more flour if needed. Divide dough into 12 parts and roll and shape into pretzels. Place pretzels on a greased baking sheet.

Crack egg into a small bowl and add a tablespoon of water and stir well. Brush egg wash over each pretzel and sprinkle coarse salt if desired. Place baking sheets in a 425 degree oven for 15 to 20 minutes until golden brown.

Combine the water, yeast and honey in a small bowl and let stand for five minutes, until yeast is dissolved and has proofed (you will see tiny bubbles forming). In a large bowl, combine flour and salt. Add the water/yeast mixture to the flour slowly and stir until a dough begins to form.

Turn the dough out onto a clean surface and knead for 5 to 7 minutes or until the dough is smooth and elastic. Divide the dough into 16 even pieces and roll each into a long rope to twist into a pretzel shape. Brush the tops with the beaten egg and dust with salt or a topping such as poppy seeds (optional).

Place on lightly greased baking sheets and bake at 425 degrees for 17 to 20 minutes, or until pretzels are golden brown.