Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Heat milk and butter until very warm (120-130°F).
  2. Mix yeast, salt, sugar, and 1 cup flour.
  3. Slowly beat into warm milk.
  4. Beat for 2 minutes.
  5. Add eggs and 1 cup of flour.
  6. Beat for an additional 2 minutes.
  7. Add enough flour to form a soft dough.
  8. Knead until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes.
  9. Place dough in a greased bowl.
  10. Let rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.
  11. Punch dough down and let rise again until doubled (1 hour more).
  12. Divide dough in half.
  13. Shape pretzel as follows: roll dough into a rope about 30 inches long and 1 1/2 inches in diameter.
  14. Cross the ends leaving a large loop in the center.
  15. Flip loop back onto crossed ends to form a pretzel.
  16. Repeat with remaining dough.
  17. Place pretzels on greased baking sheets.
  18. Let rise 15 minutes more.
  19. Bake at 375°F for 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown.
  20. Cool on wire racks.
  21. Mix confectioners' sugar, water and vanilla to form a thin icing.
  22. Spread icing on pretzels and sprinkle with chopped almonds.
  23. Makes 2 large pretzels.