Ingredients:

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
   1 1/2  Cups          warm water
   1 1/8  Tsp.          active yeast (1 1/2 pkg)
   2      Tbs.          brown sugar
   1 1/8  Tsp.          salt
   1      Cup           bread flour
   3      Cups          regular flour
   2      Cups          warm water
   2      Tbs.          baking soda
                        coarse salt to taste
   4      Tbs.          butter (melted)

Preparation:

Sprinkle yeast on lukewarm water in mixing bowl; stir to dissolve. Add sugar, salt, and stir to dissolve; add flour and knead dough until smooth and elastic. Let rise at least 1/2 hour. While dough is rising, prepare a baking soda water bath with 2 cups warm water and 2 Tbs. baking soda. Be certain to stir often. After dough has risen, pinch off bits of dough and roll into a long rope (about 1/2 inch or less thick) and shape. Dip pretzel into soda solution and place on greased baking sheet. Allow pretzel to rise again. Bake in a 450 degree oven for about 10 minutes or until golden. Brush with melted butter and enjoy! Toppings: After you brush with butter try sprinkling with coarse salt. Or for Auntie Anne's famous cinnamon sugar, try melting a stick of butter in a shallow bowl( big enough to fit the entire pretzel) and in another bowl, make a mixture of cinnamon and sugar. dip the pretzel into the butter, coating both sides generously. then dip again into the cinnamon mixtur