Soft Pretzel Bites

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups warm water (100 degrees)
2 Tbsp light brown sugar
2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
3 oz (3 quarters of stick) unsalted butter, melted
2 1/2 tsp kosher salt
5 cups all-purpose flour
a bit vegetable oil
12 cups water
1/2 cup baking soda
1 whole egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon cold water
a bit coarse sea salt
CHEESE SAUCE
1/2 Tbsp unsalted butter (cheese sauce)
1/2 Tbsp all-purpose flour (cheese sauce)
1/2 cup milk (cheese sauce)
8 oz cheddar cheese, grated (cheese sauce)

Directions

  1. Combine 1 1/2 cups warm water (100 degrees), yeast, light brown sugar, and unsalted butter in bowl of a stand mixer. Mix with dough hook until combined.
  2. Let sit 5 minutes.
  3. Add salt and flour. Mix on low speed until combined.
  4. Increase the speed to medium and continue kneading until the dough is smooth and begins to pull away from the side of the bowl (3-4 minutes). If the dough appears too wet, add additional flour, 1 tablespoon at a time.
  5. Remove the dough from the bowl, place it on a flat surface, and knead it into a ball with your hands.
  6. Oil a bowl with vegetable oil, add the dough and turn to coat with the oil.
  7. Cover with a clean towel or plastic wrap and place in a warm spot until the dough doubles in size, about 1 hour.
  8. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
  9. Bring the 12 cups of water to a boil in a small roasting pan over high heat.
  10. Carefully add the baking soda. It will boil over, so add slowly and be careful!
  11. Remove the dough from the bowl and place it on a flat surface. Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces, about 4 1/4 to 4 1/2 ounces each.
  12. Roll each piece into a long rope measuring 22-24 inches and shape.
  13. Cut the dough into one inch pieces to make the pretzel bites.
  14. Spray the baking sheet with cooking spray.
  15. Boil the pretzel bites in the water solution in batches (about 15 at a time). Boil for about 30 seconds.
  16. Remove with a large slotted spoon and place pretzel bites on a baking sheet that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Make sure they not touching.
  17. Brush the tops with the egg wash and season liberally with the sea salt.
  18. Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden brown.
  19. Remove to a baking rack and let rest for 5 minutes before eating. Serve with cheese sauce.
  20. *** CHEESE SAUCE ***
  21. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
  22. Add the flour and cook for 1 minute.
  23. Whisk in the milk and cook until slightly thickened.
  24. Remove from heat and stir in the Cheddar cheese until smooth and all the cheese is melted.
  25. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  26. *If you want to make cinnamon and sugar pretzel bites, instead of adding salt, sprinkle the bites with cinnamon and sugar. For the frosting, mix soft cream cheese (about 3 T), powdered sugar, a teaspoon of vanilla extract, and a little bit of milk. Whisk together. Add more milk if it is too thick; if it is too thin, add more powdered sugar. I don't measure. I just guess until the consistency is right.*

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