Chewy soft pretzels are easy to make at home, especially if you use purchased pizza dough (though making your own from scratch only takes a few extra minutes to do). The secret to getting the best shape is to roll the dough into long, thin ropes before twisting them into pretzels, then adjusting them after boiling if need be (just use your hands to smush the dough into shape). Boiling them in water seasoned with baking soda and molasses gives them their characteristic flavor, as does a sprinkling of pretzel (or other coarse) salt on top. Serve them warm or at room temperature, alone or dunked in the spiciest mustard you can take.

Time: 1 hr 35 min