Homemade Pretzels

Makes 24

There's nothing like a warm homemade pretzel sprinkled with coarse salt, yummy! You can sprinkle with cinnamon sugar if you prefer.
Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp (15 ml) yeast
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) sugar
• 1 1/2 cups lukewarm water
• 4 cups flour
• 1 egg, beaten
• coarse salt

Directions:

1. Dissolve yeast and sugar in the water. Stir in flour, and knead until shiny and elastic, about 10 minutes. Cover, let rise in a warm place for approximately 1 hour, until doubled.
2. Punch down, knead briefly, and tear dough in to 24 pieces. Roll by hand into 12-inch long ropes, and twist into pretzel shapes. You can make in the shapes of letters or hearts too). 
3. Brush pretzels with egg, and sprinkle with salt (or cinnamon sugar).
4. Bake at 425 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes.