Let's Do The Twist - Homemade Soft Pretzels

I have always loved the inviting scent of pretzels baking as we strolled through the mall. Of course strolling through the mall is not quite the same anymore. Am I right? So the kids and I thought it would be great fun to try our hand at twisting our own pretzels at home. I hope you try it too!!
Ingredients

• 4 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 teaspoon white sugar
• 1 1/4 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
• 5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup baking soda
• 4 cups hot water
• 1/4 cup kosher salt, for topping

Directions

1. In a small bowl, dissolve yeast and 1 teaspoon sugar in warm water. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.
2. In a large bowl, mix together flour, 1/2 cup sugar, and salt. Make a well in the center; add the oil and yeast mixture. Mix and form into a dough. If the mixture is dry, add one or two tablespoons of water. Knead the dough until smooth, about 7 to 8 minutes. Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat with oil. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
3. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). In a large bowl, dissolve baking soda in hot water.
4. When risen, turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and divide into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a rope and twist into a pretzel shape. Once all of the dough is all shaped, dip each pretzel into the baking soda solution and place on a greased baking sheet. Sprinkle with kosher salt.
5. Bake in preheated oven for 8 minutes, until browned.

Video on how to shape a pretzel at   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIhioueIzQI

As well as the traditional pretzel shape we shaped ours as hearts and even letters to spell our names!!

Converstation starter: In each project we do, I try to find a teachable moment. As we were making and twisting pretzels, the converstation turned to how things get all twisted around through gossip. We looked up a verse:

Ephesians 4:29

English Standard Version (ESV)

²⁹ Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
As well others such as Proverbs 11:13, 20:19, and 20:23

I hope you find lots of teachable moments with your children this week!