Indulge in the warm, comforting aroma of freshly baked homemade pretzels, where the perfect balance of soft, doughy interior and golden-brown, slightly crispy exterior awaits.

Ingredients:

– 1 1/2 cup of lukewarm water

– 1 Tablespoon of yeast

– Approximately 4 cups of flour

– 1 1/2 teaspoon of sugar

– 1 egg

– 4 tablespoon of coarse salt

– 1 tablespoon of water

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Directions:

Step 1: Measure 1 and 1/2 cup of lukewarm water in a liquid measuring cup, add 1 and 1/2 teaspoon of sugar and stir.

Step 2: Next add the yeast and DO NOT stir, let this mixture sit for about 5 minutes – this allows for fermentation to begin.

Step 3: Remove a portion of flour from your original 4 cups, this should be enough to lightly cover the surface you plan to knead your dough on and occasionally will be used to sprinkle the dough if it becomes sticky.

Step 4: Once five minutes has passed your yeast mixture is ready to be added to the 4 cups of flour in a large mixing bowl. Mix these together to form a ball shape, if the dough is still too sticky to pick up you may lightly sprinkle it with some of the flour you placed to the side.

Step 5: Now your dough should be ready to be kneaded, lightly flour your workspace with flour – you should be able to see the surface through the flour.

Step 6: To knead the dough you will lightly dust your hand with flour and fold the dough towards you, press the dough away from you using your palms, and turn the dough 1/4 of the way around. If the dough becomes sticky pat the dough and your hands with more flour. You will need to knead the dough for about 5 minutes, the dough should become smooth and not sticky.

Step 7: Now that your dough is ready you will divide the dough into 8 pieces.

Step 8: You are ready to shape your pretzels, roll each pretzel into a long snake – about 1/2 inches thick and 15 inches long. Next you will shape these into a pretzel shape as shown in the diagram below:

Step 9: Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray and place the pretzels on.

Step 10: Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 11: Mix an egg with one tablespoon of water then brush this mixture onto the pretzels, make sure to cover the whole pretzel.

Step 12: Now sprinkle these pretzels with course salt.

Step 13: Bake the pretzels at 425 degrees for about 10 minutes or until golden brown.

Step 14: Remove from oven and let cool.