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Dissolve the sugar and yeast in the warm water. Mix and keep aside for 5 minutes or until frothy, to activate.
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Put the flour, salt and butter in the bowl of a mixer fitted with a hook attachment. Add the yeast mixture and knead for 5 minutes or until the dough is smooth and pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
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Put the dough in a bowl coated with vegetable oil. Cover it with cling wrap and let it rise for an hour or until it doubles in size.
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Divide the dough into 16 pieces and roll each piece into 30 cm – 12 inch ropes. Cut the ropes into 2.5 cm – 1 inch pieces.
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Fill a big saucepan with 2.5 lt – 10 cups of water and bring it to a boil. When it boils, add the baking soda. Put the pretzels in the boiling water and cook them for 30 seconds. Remove them from the pan and place them on a baking sheet lined with baking paper.
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Beat the egg and brush the top of the pretzel bites with it. Sprinkle them with some sea salt.
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Bake in a pre heated oven at 230°C – 450°F for 6 to 8 minutes or until dark golden brown.
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Let them cool down and serve plain or with your favourite dip or as my husband says, with an ice cold beer.