Making pretzels in the shape of letters.

Objectives:

Materials:

• 1 1/2 cups warm water
• 1 package active dry yeast
• 1/2 tea sugar
• pinch of salt
• 4 1/2 cups flour
• 1 egg
• veg. cooking spray
• measuring cups and spoons
• large mixing bowl
• baking sheet
• pastry brush or clean paintbrush
• wire rack

Plan:

I do this activity one of these ways: I either do the whole alphabet at the beginning of the year, I do one letter occasionally, or I do the alphabet after we have learned all of the sounds. Then we create words after our pretzels have baked. You can read any kind of letter story with this. If you are doing all letters...The Letters are Lost is a good one or Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. After the lesson, make chewy pretzel letters.

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine water, yeast sugar and salt.
2. Add 2 cups flour to the bowl and mix the dough until smooth.
3. Add 2 additional cups of flour, working the last cup with your hands. This is where, if you feel comfortable you can divide the dough up and let the children knead their own. If the dough is too sticky add a little more flour.
4. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface. I usually give them wax paper and then flour that. Do this for each child if you have divided the dough. It is messy but they love it.
5. Knead for 10 minutes.
6. Place dough in large mixing bowl if not separated, if separated on baking sheet and cover each piece or large piece with veg cooking spray.
7. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours.
8. Preheat oven to 475.
9. Take each piece and punch the dough to break down air bubbles. Have each student roll their dough into a long rope. Shape the dough into the letter given or their favorite letter or the letter studying. (However you are presenting the lesson.)
10. In a small bowl, whisk together egg and water. Using pastry brush spread a thin coat of egg mixture on each pretzel and sprinkle with salt.
11. Bake on the middle rack of oven for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.
12. Remove and enjoy!