Soft Beer Pretzels Recipe

Directions:

1. Place warm water in a lg. bowl, sprinkle with yeast. Let stand 5 min.
2. Add sugar, oil, 3/4 tsp. salt, ale and enough flour to make soft dough. (add 3 3/4 cups first, then see if you need more. You can always incorporate more while kneading)
3. Place dough on lightly floured surface. Knead 6-8 min., or until smooth and elastic. Place in lightly greased bowl and cover. Let rise in WARM place until doubled in bulk, about 60 min.
4. Punch dough down. Divide into 12 pieces.
5. Roll each piece into a rope, about 20 inches long. If you want soft pretzels, make your rope thicker; if you prefer them lightly crunchy, make your rope really thin. Both types of pretzels on the pictures above were made from the same dough.
6. Shape rope into pretzels.
7. Combine hot water and soda in a shallow container or a pie plate. Dip pretzels into solution and place on lightly greased baking sheet. Take care not to burn your hands.
8. Cover pretzels loosely and let rise in WARM place for 15-20 min.
9. Brush with beaten egg. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 tsp. salt. (use more salt if desired). Then sprinkle with parmesan cheese.
10. Bake in preheated 425F oven until lightly golden, about 15 min.
11. Brush with melted butter. Serve with mustard.
12. Pretzels can be kept in a ziplock or air tight plastic container without refrigiration for several days. Just warm up in the microwave for a few seconds.