Pretzel Bites with Cheese Sauce

Pretzels are so popular they have their own day… National Pretzel Day!

SO many varieties…

 Thin & crispy, fat and crunchy, big and soft… honey wheat, sourdough, pumpernickel… the choices go on and on

Today, we’re going to make soft pretzel bites and a smooooth cheese dipping sauce.  These are great for a party or an anytime snack

Let’s start with 1 1/2 cups of water, 2 tablespoons of brown sugar, 1 package of dry yeast, 6 tablespoons of melted butter and 2 1/2 teaspoons of kosher salt

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Put all ingredients in the bowl of a mixer with the hook attachment

Mix until combined well, and let sit for about 5 minutes

You’ll need about 4 to 4 1/2 cups of flour depending on stickiness.  Start with 4 cups and then add as needed

With the mixer on low, slowly add in flour one cup at a time.  Increase to medium about another 4-5 minutes until the dough is smooth and pulls away from the side of the bowl

If the dough still seems a little tacky, add in a sprinkle more of flour and mix until combined

Hey, nice dough

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Oil a large mixing bowl, add the ball of dough, cover with plastic wrap and let rest in a warm place for about an hour

Put 3 quarts of cold water into a large saucepan and bring to a boil.  Slowly add in 1/2 cup of baking soda and return to a boil

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Remove dough from bowl, flatten into a disc shape and cut into 8 wedges

 Roll each wedge into a 24 inch rope and cut into about 1″ pieces

Toss your dough pieces into the boiling water for about 35 seconds and remove to a sheet pan sprayed with cooking oil

Beat one egg mixed with a tablespoon of water and brush over the tops of each boiled dough piece

At this point, you can simply sprinkle with kosher salt, or be as creative as you like and sprinkle on poppy seeds, sesame seeds, dried shallots, dried onions, etc.  Whatever flavors you like!

Bake for 14 – 16 minutes on 425 degrees until golden brown.  Cool slightly and serve with cheese sauce or any dipping sauce of your choice

Uh… are there a few missing on that tray??  How’d that happen??

We served this with a third of the Perfect Cheese Sauce recipe

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Enjoy!

Simply Sundays! ~ Pretzel Bites with Cheese Sauce

  • Servings: 10-12
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • Print

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups of water

2 tablespoons of brown sugar

1 package of dry yeast

6 tablespoons of melted butter

2 1/2 teaspoons of kosher salt

4 to 4 1/2 cups of flour

Drizzle of oil for bowl

3 quarts of cold water

1/2 cup of baking soda

1 egg beaten with a tablespoon of water for egg wash

Toppings: kosher salt, poppy seeds, sesame seeds, dried shallots, dried onions etc.

Directions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees

Measure out 1 1/2 cups of water, 2 tablespoons of brown sugar, 1 package of dry yeast, 6 tablespoons of melted butter and 2 1/2 teaspoons of kosher salt

Put all ingredients in the bowl of a mixer with the hook attachment; mix until combined well, and let sit for about 5 minutes

You’ll need about 4 to 4 1/2 cups of flour depending on stickiness.  Start with 4 cups and then add more as needed

With the mixer on low, slowly add in flour one cup at a time; increase to medium about another 4-5 minutes until the dough is smooth and pulls away from the side of the bowl

If the dough still seems a little tacky, add in a sprinkle more of flour and mix until combined

Oil a large mixing bowl, add the ball of dough, cover with plastic wrap and let rest in a warm place for about an hour

Put 3 quarts of cold water into a large saucepan and bring to a boil.  Slowly add in 1/2 cup of baking soda and return to a boil

 Remove dough from bowl, flatten into a disc shape and cut into 8 wedges; roll each wedge into a 24 inch rope and cut into about 1″ pieces

Toss your dough pieces into the boiling water for about 35 seconds and remove to a sheet pan sprayed with cooking oil; beat one egg mixed with a tablespoon of water and brush over the tops of each boiled dough piece

Sprinkle with desired toppings;  bake for 14 – 16 minutes until golden brown.  Cool slightly and serve with cheese sauce or any dipping sauce of your choice

Tools used to make this recipe

Pyrex Prepware 1-Cup Measuring Cup
Pyrex Prepware 2-Cup Glass Measuring Cup
KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Qt. Stand Mixer
Stainless Steel Measuring Cup

Pyrex Prepware Glass Mixing Bowl

Wilton Recipe Right Non-stick Cookie Sheet Set, 2-Piece

 © Simply Sundays 2016
All rights reserved

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