New York Style Soft Pretzels

Stir together the sugar, yeast and water in a small bowl. Let the yeast mixture stand about 5 minutes until foamy. Stir together the flour and 1 tbsp. salt in a large bowl. Add the yeast mixture and stir until a dough forms. Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead about 8 minutes until a smooth, sticky dough forms. Return the dough to the bowl and cover tightly with plastic wrap. Let the dough rise in a warm place about 45 minutes until doubled.

Oil a sheet pan. Cut the dough into 8 equal pieces. With floured hands, form each dough piece into a 24 inch long rope. Form each rope into a pretzel shape and place them on the prepared pan, spacing 1 1/2 inches apart. Let the pretzels stand 20 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Heat a large pot of water to a boil. Working in batches, add pretzels to the boiling water and cook until the shape is set and puffed, about 3 minutes, turning once. Transfer the boiled pretzels to a rack to cool. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Lightly oil the paper. Arrange the pretzels on the prepared pan and brush lightly with the beaten egg. Sprinkle with the pretzel salt. Bake the pretzels about 35 minutes until golden brown and lightly crusted. Cool the pretzels about 15 minutes before serving warm.