To make the dough, combine the water, sugar, salt and yeast in the bowl of a stand mixer.

Wait 5 minutes or until it starts to foam.

Use the dough hook attachment, and slowly add the flour and butter. Mix on low speed until combined.

Change to medium speed and knead until the dough is smooth and pulls away from the side of the bowl (about 5 minutes).

Place the dough in an oiled bowl, cover with a towel and sit in a warm place for about an hour or until the dough has doubled in size.

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and line 2 baking sheet pans with parchment paper. Lightly spray with cooking spray or brush with vegetable oil.

To prepare the water bath, bring the 10 cups of water and the baking soda to a boil in an large pan.

Lightly oil your work surface and turn out the dough and divide into 8 pieces.

Roll out each piece of dough into a 2 foot rope. Flip the ends of the rope across each other and press onto the bottom of the U in order to form the shape of a pretzel. Place onto the baking sheets.

Place the pretzels into the boiling water, 1 by 1, for 30 seconds each.

Place the pretzels back on the baking sheet, brush the top of each pretzel with the egg wash and sprinkle with the pretzel salt.

Bake for 12-14 minutes or until golden brown.

Transfer to a cooling rack.