The pretzels are to die for....

My best guy friend and his beautiful and undoubtedly better half are coming for a visit in 2 weeks!! Michael and I have been friends for 20 years and roommates on and off throughout that time.  When Matt and I married, Michael moved to the east coast where he met Lisa, and they're in Pennsylvania until we convince them to give up their well paying jobs and move to Chico. I go see them once a year in the spring, and they come see us in the summer. 

The last time I was there we went to the Amish country and I could not get enough pretzels! Soft and chewy, salty and warm. There's nothing better! When I got to the airport to go home there were vendors selling them right outside the gate, so I got Matt a six-pack and boarded the plane..... I ate them all. I decided I had to make them for Matt to make up for my gluttony. I searched and searched for the perfect recipe, making about 6 batches before finding the perfect pretzels. This is so quick and easy, and I guarantee there will be none left over. Enjoy! 

Amish Pretzels

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups water (approx 105 degrees)
• 1 tablespoon yeast
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 2 cups bread flour 
• 2 cups flour

DIPPING SOLUTION

• 1/2 cup baking soda, into
• 3 cups hot water
• sweet creamy butter, for 'dipping' face of pretzels after baking.

Directions

1. 
   

   1

   Dissolve yeast into warm water.
2. 
   

   2

   Add sugar, then flour& mix well- do not 'knead' as this toughens the dough.
3. 
   

   3

   (Mix just until combined well) Let rise until doubled, at least 20 minutes.
4. 
   

   4

   Cut into long 'ropes'.
5. 
   

   5

   Shape into pretzel shapes, then dip into prepared dipping solution.
6. 
   

   6

   Place on non-stick cookie sheet and sprinkle with course sea salt.
7. 
   

   7

   Bake at 500-550°F for 4-6 minutes until golden brown.
8. 
   

   8

   Dip face of pretzel into melted butter.
9. 
   

   9

   Variation: add 1 t vanilla to the dough.
10. 
    

    10

    Flavor variations.
11. 
    

    11

    Cinnamon/sugar- omit salt& dip into cinnamon sugar after face has been coated with butter.
12. 
    

    12

    Sour cream& onion- after dipping face of pretzel in butter, sprinkle with sour cream& onion powder Garlic- same as sour cream& onion, but use garlic powder.
13. 
    

    13

    Sesame or poppy seed--BEFORE baking, AFTER dipping into dipping solution, dip pretzel face-down into the seeds, then bake.
14. 
    

    14

    Salt is optional with this one.
15. Makes 16 pretzels