Appropriate age groups for this Easter celebration or activity:
Preschool and Younger
Elementary School
Middle School
High School & Beyond

Description of Easter celebration or activity:
My almost-13 year old says "these are almost as good as the ones at the Mall, Mom!"
They are also kinder to my wallet, and more tender than the pre-baked & frozen variety. But there are other reasons to make them, and one of the best involves the season of Lent.

Historians disagree about precisely Who invented pretzels, and When, but the name seems to be derived from an Italian phrase meaning "little arms." The shape of the bread, baked by Monks, centuries ago, was intended to resemble arms folded in prayer, thus a daily reminder of taking time for reflection upon one's blessings.

Setting up and preparing for this celebration or activity:
Soft Pretzels

Ingredients:

1 pkg. of dry yeast (or equivalent from jar)

1 1/2 c. warm water

1 Tbsp. sugar

4 c. flour

2 Tbsp. melted butter (optional)

Coarse Salt
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Lightly grease cookie sheet.

Dissolve yeast in warm water; add the sugar.

Blend in flour, and turn dough onto a lightly floured board. Knead until smooth.

Allow dough to rise for an hour or so, until Doubled in volume.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Punch down the dough.

Twist off approx. 12 equal pieces of dough (if you happen to have 13 kids at the table, no reason to go and Double the recipe ;-)

Roll each piece of dough into a "rope" about 18 inches long, and about the thickness of a Fat pencil. Carry each rope over to the cookie sheet. Twist each into a pretzel shape, and arrange them on the cookie sheet.

Lightly spritz some water on the pretzels (or use a brush), and sprinkle w/coarse salt.

Bake approximately 12-15 minutes, until Golden Perfection! Watch closely the last few minutes. Melted butter may be brushed on the pretzels in those last minutes, or just prior to serving.

Some people prefer unsalted pretzels. Some like to dip 'em in Honey (pasteurized, please, not raw). Some like Mustard on a pretzel; some like softened cream cheese! (Yessss!)

This is a good Youth group activity, and the most Kid-Friendly/Leader Friendly version of the recipe I have experienced. Other versions call for dipping each pretzel in boiling soda water prior to baking, and/or brushing with beaten egg. (That's OK for Adults who truly love maximum kitchen time; an internet search should bring up several of those recipes.) Those extra steps take valuable time, and it's too easy to get a bit too much egg on the pretzels, which then puddles and scorches on the cookie sheet. (Not a flavor bonus. ;-) Hot, Soft and Fresh seems to be Way good 'nuff! Fruit and cheese chunks could be supplemental snack items for a group of hungry kids.

Each child will want to receive the same Work of Art pretzel he/she created. If you line the cookie sheets with heavy duty foil (shiny side Down), each child's name or initials can be lightly 'etched' into the foil...and the cookie sheets can be used again (if need be) without dashing off to Scrub them between uses. Do grease the foil, though! (You might also cut Individual pieces of foil for each child, as part of setting up your work station.)

The smallest children will tend to enjoy just rolling and re-rolling their dough, which is OK, because it keeps them Busy ;-) When the older ones have finished, they can assist the younger ones. It all works out.

The monks made their pretzel dough by hand. You can, too, but there are other options. A stand mixer with a dough hook can help tremendously with kneading. Bread machines can hum along, taking ingredients all the way from mixing thru rising, freeing you to do other things at the same time. Each machine is a little different; check operator's manual for details, such as: recommended order of adding dry ingredients and liquids, Maximum Capacity of the unit (number of cups o' stuff you dare plop into it), and length of the dough mixing cycle.

The relationship of Pretzels to Lent can be shared with your group, when appropriate. The making of Pretzels can also be be simply a Fun Thing for kids (and families) to do together. It's a neat thing to do Any time of year, and particularly wonderful for Rainy Day fun!
Be sure to make enough; the fragrance as they bake may draw in the neighbors.

Other suggestions or comments:
Unless you are blessed with a very large oven and cookie sheet, count on needing 2 cookie sheets, or call your pizza pan(s) into service, too.