1 teaspoon granulated sugar
1/4 cup warm water
1 package active dry yeast
1-1/2 cups warm water
41/2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
Topping
1 large egg white
1 tablespoon water
coarse salt and sesame seeds
Stir sugar into first amount of warm water in small bowl. Sprinkle yeast over top. Let stand for 10 minutes. Stir to dissolve yeast.
Combine second amount of warm water, flour and salt in large bowl. Add yeast mixture. Add a bit more flour if needed so dough isn’t too sticky. Turn out unto floured surface. Knead 8 to 10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover with tea towel. Let stand in oven with light on and door closed about 45 minutes until doubled in bulk. Punch dough sown. Roll into log. Mark off into 12 portions. Cut. Roll each portion into 1/2 inch thick rope. Shape each rope into pretzel on greased baking sheets.
Beat egg white and water with fork in small bowl. Brush over pretzels. Sprinkle some pretzels with coarse salt and some with sesame seeds. Bake in 450F oven for aabout 15 minutes Turn out onto racks to cool.
Makes 12