http://allrecipes.com/recipe/24272/buttery-soft-pretzels/
4 teaspoons active dry yeast
1 teaspoon white sugar
1 ¼ cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
5 cups all-purpose flour
½ cup white sugar
1 ½ teaspoons salt
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
½ cup baking soda
4 cups hot water
¼ cup kosher salt, for topping

1. Dissolve yeast and teaspoon sugar in 1 1/4 c warm water, let stand ~10 min
2. Mix flour, 1/2c sugar, and salt. Make well in center, add oil and yeast mixture, mix and form into dough. Add water as necessary. Knead until smooth, ~7-8min. Oil large bowl, place dough in bowl, turn to coat, let rise until doubled; ~1hr
3. Preheat oven to 450F, grease baking sheets
4. In large bowl, dissolve baking soda in 4c hot water, set aside. When risen, turn dough out onto lightly floured surface and divide into 12 pieces. Roll each piece into a rope and twist into pretzel shape. Once all shaped, dip each pretzel into baking soda water and place on baking sheet. Sprinkle with kosher salt
5. Bake until browned; ~8min