Pour the very warm water into a mixing bowl. Sprinkle the Rapid Rise Yeast and sugar over the water. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy.
Once the yeast is frothy, add the salt, bread flour, and softened butter to the bowl. Mix with a dough hook or wooden spoon until the dough starts to come together.
Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. If using a stand mixer, knead on low speed for about 4 minutes.
Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover it with a damp cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm area for about 1 hour or until it has doubled in size.
Preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into 8 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a long rope (about 24 inches) and shape it into a pretzel.
In a large pot, bring 8 cups of water to a boil. Once boiling, carefully add the baking soda. The mixture may bubble up, so be cautious!
Using a slotted spoon, lower each pretzel into the boiling water for about 30 seconds on each side. Remove and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
In a small bowl, mix the beaten egg with 1 tablespoon of water. Brush this mixture over the boiled pretzels for a beautiful, shiny finish.
Sprinkle the pretzels with coarse salt and bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until they are golden brown.
Remove the pretzels from the oven and allow them to cool on a wire rack. Serve warm with mustard or your favorite dipping sauce!
