Combine water and sugar in a large bowl and sprinkle the yeast on top.

Let it sit uncovered for 5 minutes - it will start to get foamy on top.

Add the yeast mixture to the flour bowl, add butter and salt, turn out onto floured surface and knead dough for about 4 minutes, or use a stand mixer and knead for 4 minutes to get an elastic dough.

Wash the bowl and oil it with vegetable oil. Put the dough back in, cover with a clean cloth, and let it sit for 30 minutes. It will roughly double in size.

Combine 10 cups of water and baking soda and bring to boil. Also turn the oven on to 450 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets pans with parchment paper.

While the water is heating up, divide the dough into 8 equal pieces.

Roll out each piece to about 22 inches.

Make a U-shape with the rope, holding the ends of the rope, cross them over each other and press onto the bottom of the U in order to form the shape of a pretzel.

Place the pretzels into the boiling water, 1 by 1, for 30 seconds. Remove them from the water using a large flat spatula.

Put them on the baking sheet, brush with the beaten egg yolk and water mixture and sprinkle with the pretzel salt. Bake for up to 15 minutes minutes, until golden.

Cool on a rack for a few minutes before serving.