3-1/2 cups bread flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 pk active dry yeast
1 cup water
1 tablespoon margarine or butter
1 tablespoon water
1 egg yolk, beaten
coarse salt
Mix 1 cup flour, sugar, salt and undissolved yeast. Heat 1 cup water and margarine to 105 to 110 degrees. Gradually add to dry ingredients and beat 2 minutes at medium speed of mixer. Add 1/2 cup flour.
Beat at high speed 2 minutes. Stir in enough additional flour to make a soft dough. On floured board, knead 5 minutes. Set in greased bowl and rotate to grease top. Cover and let rise in warm, draft-free place 40 minutes.
Divide dough into 12 equal pieces. Roll each into a 20-inch rope.Shape into pretzels . Place on greased baking sheets. Cover and let rest 5 minutes. Mix egg yolk and 1 tablespoon water and brush on pretzels. Sprinkle with coarse salt. Bake at 375 degrees 15 minutes or until done. Cool on racks.