Soft Pretzels

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups very warm water
1Tbs sugar
2 tsp kosher salt
1 package active dry yeast (2 1/4 tsp)
4 1/2 cups flour
2 oz. melted butter
cooking spray
10 cups water
2/3 cup baking soda
1 egg yolk beaten with 1 Tbs water
course sea salt

Combine the 1 1/2 cups warm water, sugar and kosher salt in the bowl of a stand mixer.  Sprinkle the yeast on top. Allow it to sit for 5 minutes or until the mixture begins to foam.  Add the flour and melted butter and using the dough hook mix on low speed until well combined.  Change to medium speed and knead until the dough is smooth and pulls away from the sides of the bowl, around 4 to 5 minutes.  Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a damp towel.  Let sit in warm spot 50 to 55 minutes until the dough doubles in size.
Preheat oven to 450 degrees.  Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper and spray with cooking spray.  Set aside. 
Bring the 10 cups of water and the baking soda to a boil.
While waiting on the water to boil.  Turn the dough out on a clean surface that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Divide dough into 8 equal pieces.  Roll each piece into a 24 inch rope.  Make a U shape with the rope, cross over the ends of the U to form a pretzel shape.  Place onto prepared baking sheets.  Place each pretzel into boiling soda water for 1 to 2 minutes.  Return to sheet pans and brush with yolk mixture and sprinkle with sea salt.  Bake for 12 to 14 minutes until golden brown.
If serving for a crowd cut "ropes" into 2 inch pieces before boiling and baking.