Soft Pretzel Bites

Modified this pretzel bites recipe for egg-free. Kids approved!

Ingredients

Warm water - 1 1/2 cups
Light brown sugar - 2 TBSP
Active dry yeast -1 package (2 1/4 teaspoons)
Unsalted butter - 3 oz (6 TBSP), melted
Kosher salt - 2 1/2 tsp
All-purpose flour - 4 1/2 to 5 cups
Water - 3 quarts (12 cups)
Baking soda - 1/3 cup for boiling the pretzels
Vegetable oil spray for coating
Coarse sea salt

Steps

1. Mix the warm water, sugar, yeast, and butter in a mixing bowl until combined. Let sit for 5 minutes.
2. Add the salt and flour; continue kneading into a smooth ball. If the dough appears too wet, add additional flour, 1 tablespoon at a time.
3. Oil a bowl with vegetable oil, add the dough and turn to coat with the oil. Cover with a clean towel or plastic wrap and place in a warm spot until the dough doubles in size, about 1 hour.

4. Preheat the oven to 425°F.
5. Bring the 3 quarts of water to a boil in a small pot over high heat and carefully add the baking soda slowly.
6. Remove the dough from the bowl and place on a flat surface. Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces, about 4 1/4 to 4 1/2 ounces each. Roll each piece into a long rope measuring 22 inches and shape. Cut the dough into one inch pieces to make the pretzel bites.
7. Boil the pretzel bites in the water solution in batches. Boil for about 30 seconds. Remove with a large slotted spoon.

8. Place pretzel bites on a baking sheet that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Make sure they are not touching. Spray with oil spray and season liberally with the salt. Place into the oven and bake for 15 to 18 minutes until golden brown.

9 Remove to a baking rack and let rest 5 minutes before eating. Serve with cheese sauce.

Optional cheese sauce

Unsalted butter - ½ Tablespoon
All-purpose flour - ½ Tablespoon
Milk - ½ cup
Cheddar cheese - 8 ounces, grated
Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour and cook 1 minute. Whisk in the milk and cook until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and stir in the Cheddar cheese until smooth and all of the cheese is melted. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Note

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, until the consistency is right.