In a bowl combine warm water, yeast, and brown sugar (you can use a stand mixer but I kneaded by hand)
Let them sit until it’s frothy (8-10 mins)
Add the butter, flour, and salt. Knead for 5 mins by mixer or hand
Shape the dough into a ball, placed in ao greased bowl, cover with towel and let rise for 45 mins (or until doubled)
To save time, in a pot combine the water and baking soda. Bring to a proper boil and heat oven to 230 C
Whisk the egg with 1tbsp water and set aside
Cut your dough after it rises into 8 sections (or more depending on the size you want)
Don’t flour your surface too much, roll out the section into a rope, make a U Shape, twist the ends over pressing them into the bottom of the U (YouTube it)
Drop the pretzels ONE BY ONE into the boiling water for 30 seconds each. Drain well with a slotted spoon and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper that’s lightly brushed with oil (do it, don’t skip the oil)
Brush the boiled pretzels with the egg wash, sprinkle with salt, seeds, whatever you want and bake for 10-15 mins until they brown