Dissolve the sugar and yeast in the warm water. Mix and keep aside for 5 minutes or until frothy, to activate.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Beat the egg and brush the top of the pretzel bites with it. Sprinkle them with some sea salt.

Bake in a pre heated oven at 230°C – 450°F for 6 to 8 minutes or until dark golden brown.

Let them cool down and serve plain or with your favourite dip or as my husband says, with an ice cold beer.