Easy Soft Pretzels

These were always a fun favorite with my sister and brother and I when we were young. We weren't very good at twisting them into a traditional pretzel knot, but eagerly ate them up even if all we could manage were pretzel 'logs'.

Ingredients
1 pkg yeast
1 T sugar
1½ C warm water
4 C flour
2 t salt
1 egg, beaten
Optional: additional coarse salt for sprinkling

Directions
Mix yeast and sugar with warm water; let stand 5-10 minutes until bubbly. Add flour and salt, kneading until smooth and elastic. Shape on ungreased cookie sheet (lined with parchment for easy clean up!) Brush with beaten egg; sprinkle with coarse salt, if desired.

Let pretzel rest while oven preheats to 400°F. Bake 15 minutes (more or less depending on thickness of pretzel shapes) or until golden.

Serve with yellow mustard.