The Best Pretzels Ever!!

Got this recipe from my Mommy & Me Cookbook (thank you Amy Hays for submitting it!!). It's awesome and we make these quite a bit now. We LOVE pretzels!!

1/3 cup warm water
1 pkg. yeast
1 cup milk
1 egg, separated
1 teaspoon salt
1/4-1/3 cup sugar or honey
1/4 cup butter or margarine, soften
4-5 cups flour

Mix the warm water with the yeast till the yeast is dissolved. Separate the egg and place the egg white to the side. Mix all the other ingredients together. Let rise. Separate dough into 8-9 pieces and shape - i.e. make into a long rope, about a foot and cross the end pieces. The kids love to shape their dough piece how ever they like. Just don't let them have any small pieces out or they may burn. Flip the round part over the crossed pieces. Place on a greased cookie sheet. Mix the egg white with a little bit of water and brush the pretzels with the wash. Sprinkle with salt if desired. Let rise for about 20 minutes. Bake at 425 for 15-20 minutes. This is an old recipe. It can be made in a bread machine but it may strain it a bit. Use more sugar for a sweeter pretzel and less for a more traditional pretzel flavor.

Amber's note: I am really bad about waiting for the dough to rise. I make mine usually omitting the rising the 2nd time. I usually make my dough, let it rise while I prep for other things (generally no more than half an hour) and then I start making them. Don't usually have much of an issue and they still taste great! We shape them in all different shapes. We made the number 4 for Danny's Birthday treat to his preschool class. They were awesome!!