Preheat an oven to 450 degrees F.

Roll a piece of the dough into a ball about the size of your palm. Set aside.

Bring 8 cups of water to a boil in a large saucepan. Add the baking soda and stir.

Roll the dough out into a 15-inch rope. Make a U-shape with the rope. Take the left end of the rope and cross it over the right end of the rope. Twist it and flip the ends up and press onto the bottom of the U in order to form the shape of a pretzel. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment or silpat.

Place the pretzels into the boiling water, one at a time. Leave in for 30 seconds. Remove them from the water using a large slotted spoon. Return the pretzels to the baking sheet.

Brush the tops of the pretzels with the beaten egg yolk and water mixture and sprinkle with kosher salt.

Bake until golden brown in color, approximately 12 minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack.

Slice the dough rope into 1 or 2 inch sections. Drop them into the boiling water/soda mixture for 30 seconds. Remove from the pot and place on baking sheet. Brush with the egg wash. Sprinkle with kosher salt and bake as directed.

Roll the dough into balls. Place into the boiling water/soda mixture for 30 seconds. Remove from the pot and place on baking sheet. Brush with the egg wash. Do not add salt. Bake as directed. Remove from the oven and brush with melted butter and roll in a bowl of cinnamon and sugar.