Soft Pretzel Bites

1 1/2 C warm water
2 T brown sugar
1 T yeast (I use active dry)
6 T butter, melted
2 1/2 t salt
4 1/2-5 C flour
12 C water
3/4 C baking soda
1 egg, beaten until frothy
Coarse Pretzel Salt

1. Pour 1 1/2 cups warm water into your stand mixer.

Add 6 tablespoons melted butter

2 tablespoons brown sugar

and 1 tablespoon yeast.

Mix it together on low, just for 30 seconds or so.
2. Let it sit for about 5 minutes, allowing time for the yeast to start to bubble up a bit.

3. Add 2 1/2 teaspoons salt

and 2 cups of the flour. Turn your mixer on to low and add the rest of the flour, 1 cup at a time while the mixer runs.

You know you have enough flour when the dough pulls itself away from the sides of the bowl.
4. Turn your mixer to medium speed and let the old girl mix for 5 minutes.

5. Remove the bowl from the stand and cover it with plastic wrap. Let the dough rise for 1 hour

or until doubled in size.

6. Spray your counter with cooking spray and place the dough on top of it. Using a sharp knife cut the dough into eight equal portions. Let them rest for at least 5 minutes. Don’t cheat here, my friends. The dough will be super easy to roll out if you let it rest. If you don’t…you might start to pull your hair out, and stamp your feet and say a curse word or two. For that, I cannot be held responsible. Just let it rest for 5 little minutes. Thanks for your cooperation.

7. While your dough is resting, pour 12 cups of water into a large stock pot and bring it to a boil and pour 3/4 cup baking soda into it. If it starts to get super frothy, turn it down a bit.

8. Roll each dough piece into a long rope shape.

9. Cut the rope into little chunks, about 2 inches wide.

9. Drop the little dough pieces into the boiling water and let them boil for 1 minute. You can boil about 15 at a time.

10. Take the dough out of the boiling water with a metal strainer, or slotted spoon. Let all of the water drain off the dough and back into the pot.

11. Place the dough on a cookie sheet that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Brush the beaten egg over the top of each piece…

and then sprinkle a bit of course pretzel salt over the tops.

12. Bake the bites at 425 degrees for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.

13. Remove the pan from the oven and let the bites rest for at least 5 minutes before you dig in.caption