In a large bowl, combine yeast and warm water. Let set for 5 minutes, or until frothy.
1/2 cup warm water, 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
Add butter, milk, and honey. Whisk in whole wheat and let sit for 5-10 minutes. You can change the wheat to white flour ratio with whatever your family is accustomed to.
1/4 cup butter, 1-1/4 cup milk, 1/4 cup raw honey, 2 cups whole wheat flour
Combine salt with a cup of white flour and add to mixture. Add more flour, 1 cup at a time until mixture forms a dough. Knead for 10 minutes, until smooth and elastic. Cover and let rise for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
1-1/2 teaspoons salt, 4 cups unbleached all purpose flour
Punch down and form into golf size balls. Make pretzels or pretzel bites. Make long snake out of the dough balls and slice into pretzel bites or twist into pretzels.
Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes or until lightly browned on top.
Toppings:
Immediately out of the oven, brush with melted butter and sprinkle with salt OR cinnamon and sugar mixture.