Thanks to peer pressure from Tifi (ok maybe not EXACTLY pressure- perhaps just snack envy) I tried this wonderful recipe for homemade soft pretzels:

In a large bowl combine 1 1/2 tsp live active yeast with 1 1/2 cups 110 degree water, 1/2 teaspoon brown sugar and dash of salt. Let sit 5 minutes

Add 4 cups flour mix well and knead for 5 minutes

Put in greased bowl and cover with damp towel and let sit 1 hour in a warm place.

Divide into 8 to 12 pieces -we divided into 16 pieces-and they were still pretty thick.

Roll into rope and shape , dip into 1/4 cup warm water that has 1 tablespoon baking soda mixed in.

Bake at 500 degrees for 8 minutes

Brush liberally with melted butter and sprinkle with kosher salt or 2 tablespoons mixed with melted butter and sprinkled with cinnamon sugar or parmesan cheese and garlic salt and serve with marinara sauce.

The only difference in our recipe is I substituted spelt flour and EDad (our resident baker) had me use instant yeast so we did not have to do the initial growing the yeast in water for 5 minutes. Instead we just mixed it in with the dry ingredients and then added the water. The boys had a blast making their initials in the dough and even more fun eating their cinnamon sugar pretzels. My preferred pretzel had salt and granulated garlic. These pretzels were so wonderfully yummy and easy to make I can’t wait to make more.

Check out this website for more fun baking ideas for kids: B is for Baking

The science of yeast: Explore the Science of Yeast