Buttery Soft Pretzels

In a small bowl dissolve yeast and 1 teaspoon sugar in 1 1/4 cup warm water. Let stand until creamy about 10 minutes.

In a large bowl mix together flour 1/2 cup sugar and salt. Make a well in the center; add the oil and yeast mixture. Mix and form into a dough. If the mixture is dry add one or two more tablespoons of water. Knead the dough until smooth about 7 to 8 minutes. Lightly oil a large bowl place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat with oil. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size about 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Grease 2 baking sheets.

In a large bowl dissolve baking soda in 4 cups hot water; set aside. When risen turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and divide into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a rope and twist into a pretzel shape. Once all of the dough is shaped dip each pretzel into the baking soda-hot water solution and place pretzels on baking sheets. Sprinkle with kosher salt.

Bake in preheated oven until browned about 8 minutes.