Soft Pretzels - Like Auntie Anne's

Ingredients

• 3 1/2 cups flour
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1 (1/4 ounce) package dry active yeast
• 1 cup water
• 1 tablespoon Crisco
• 6 cups water
• 1/4 cup baking soda
• 2 tablespoons melted butter

Directions

1. 1

   Combine 1 cup flour, sugar, salt and yeast in medium bowl. Blend well.

2. 2

   Heat 1 cup water and Crisco in small saucepan to 100 - 110 degrees.

3. 3

   Add liquid to flour mixture and blend at low speed until moistened.

4. 4

   Beat 3 minutes at medium speed.

5. 5

   Stir in by hand an additional 1-1/2 to 1-3/4 cups of flour or until dough pulls cleanly away from sides of bowl.

6. 6

   Knead in 1/2 - 3/4 cup flour, on a floured surface, until dough is smooth and elastic.

7. 7

   Put dough in greased bowl, cover loosely with plastic wrap and a cloth towel.

8. 8

   Let rise in a warm (80-85 degrees) until light and doubled in size. About 45 minutes.

9. 9

   Spray 2 cookie sheets with no-stick spray.

10. 10

    Punch dough down and seperate into 12 pieces.

11. 11

    Roll each piece into a 16-inch rope.

12. 12

    Form into pretzel shape.

13. 13

    Place on greased cookie sheets and cover.

14. 14

    Let rise in a warm place for 15 minutes.

15. 15

    Adjust oven rack to top position.

16. 16

    Heat oven to 400 degrees.

17. 17

    Combine 6 cups water and baking soda in a shallow saucepan and bring to a boil.

18. 18

    Slowly drop pretzels into water, one at a time, cooking 15 seconds on each side.

19. 19

    Remove from water with a slotted spoon and return to greased cookie sheet.

20. 20

    Sprinkle with pretzel salt, sesame seeds, etc.

21. 21

    Bake for 8 minutes.

22. 22

    Brush with melted butter.

23. 23

    Bake an additional 2 minutes or until golden brown.

24. 24

    Remove from cookie sheet and brush generously with remaining butter.