Title: Chocolate pretzels
 Categories: German, Snacks
      Yield: 8 servings
 
    1/2 c  Butter or margarine
    1/4 c  Sugar
      1 ea Egg; large, beaten
      1 t  Vanilla extract
    1/4 c  Milk
    1/4 c  Cocoa
      2 c  Flour; unbleached, unsifted
      1 x  -------cocoa frosting-------
      2 T  Cocoa
  1 1/4 c  Confectioners' sugar
      2 T  Butter or margarine; melted
    1/2 t  Vanilla extract
 
  Cream 1/2 cup butter and the sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in
  the egg, vanilla, and milk.  Sift cocoa and flour. Mix into butter
  mixture until thoroughly blended.  Chill dough until firm enough to
  handle (about 30 minutes).  Using 2 T dough, roll a rope about 12
  inches long between your hands.  Shape into a pretzel as follows:
  Make a loop bout 1 1/2 inches in diameter by crossing the ends,
  leaving 1-inch tails. Flip the loop down over the crossed ends. Press
  firmly into place. Place pretzels on greased baking sheets. Bake at
  350 degrees F. for about 10 minutes. Mak frosting in a small bowl.
  Mix cocoa and confectioners' sugar. Gradually stir in butter and
  vanilla. If frosting is too thick, thin with milk. When pretzels are
  cool, spread with Cocoa Frosting. Make 2 dozen.