Sandy's Snowday Pretzels

These have always been a a staple in my family. Growing up my mother made them on snow days. I remember standing next to her at the counter and rolling out the long dough snakes to make the pretzel. They are very easy to make. Nowadays I make them a little healthier. But it is definitely a guilty pleasure

Preheat oven to 475

Ingredients

• 1/8 cup hot water (not boiling)

• 1 package active rapid rise yeast

• 1 3/4 cup warm water

• 1/3 cup brown sugar (optional coconut sugar)

• 5 cups organic all purpose flour

• Kosher salt-course

• 3 cups water

• 3 tbls baking soda

Directions

1. Stir the yeast into the hot water until dissolves

2. Mix the warm water and sugar in a large mixing bowl

3. Add the yeast water to the sugar water and mix

4. Slowly add the flour, one cup at a time

5. Hand knead the dough on a floured surface for 5 minutes

6. Tear off small handfuls and roll out into long snakes

7. Make pretzel shape (my sister and I have also rolled out flat circles, then added chocolate chips or cheese and folded them over and pinched the edges closed)

8. Bring the 3 cups of water and baking soda to a boil

9. Dip the pretzels in the boiling water for 30 seconds each

10. Grease the cookie sheet and sprinkle some salt on it

11. Place the pretzels1-2 inches apart

12. Sprinkle salt on top

13. Bake 7-8 minutes. Cool on rack

Snow Day with Sandy 1981