Homemade soft pretzels

Today's make from scratch recipe was soft pretzels.  I used to drive to the mall just to get a fresh Auntie Anne's pretzel.   Yumm.   But as we know, they are expensive.  I mean really?!  For dough?  Dough is cheap.  This was my first attempt at ever making pretzels.  I think they turned out pretty good.  They taste amazing.

2 (.25 ounce) packages active dry yeast
2 cups warm water (110 degrees to 115 degrees)
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons salt
1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 egg
6 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
coarse salt
baking soda


In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add sugar, salt, butter and egg. Stir in 3 cups of flour; mix until smooth. Add enough additional flour to make a stiff dough. Cover bowl tightly with foil; refrigerate for 2-24 hours. Punch dough down and divide in half. On a lightly floured surface, cut each half into 16 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a 20-in. rope. Shape into the traditional pretzel shape and place on a greased baking sheet. Boil  in water with 1/2 cup of baking soda.  One minute each side.  Place back on baking sheet.  Spray with pam.  Sprinkle with salt if desired. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 25 minutes. Bake at 400 degrees F for 15 minutes or until brown.

You can use different flours for taste.  I subsituted 1 cup wheat flour.  You can also use oat flour.  The only thing I may do different next time is bake on parchment paper and give them a brush of melted butter.They took a little practice but it got easier.  It was well worth it.
I made homemade queso for dip.