pretzel bites

i love pretzel bites! sometimes i go to the movies just because i want pretzel bites so when i found this pin i was incredibly happy. all week long Oli has been asking to watch the star wars movies and eat popcorn and m&ms (his favorite snack... at preschool the other day his teachers gave him popcorn and he asked them where the m&ms were lol). i thought that this gave me the perfect oppurtunity to try this recipe out. and i was definitely pleased with the results. its easier than you'd think. time consuming but worth it!

pretzel bites
from http://traceysculinaryadventures.blogspot.com/2010/02/soft-pretzel-bites.html

1 1/2 cups warm water
2 tablespoons light brown sugar
1 package (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled just slightly
2 1/2 teaspoons  salt
4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3 quarts water
3/4 cup baking soda
1 whole egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon cold water

On low speed, mix the water, sugar, yeast, and butter in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook until combined. Let sit for 5 minutes.

Add the salt and 4 cups of the flour and mix on low speed until combined.  Increase the speed to medium and continue kneading until the dough is smooth and begins to pull away from the side of the bowl, adding 1/2 cup flour while dough is being kneaded. If the dough appears too wet, add additional flour 1 tablespoon at a time, until the dough clears the sides of the bowl.  Remove the dough from the bowl, place on a lightly floured surface and knead into a ball with your hands.

Spray a bowl with cooking spray (or oil with with vegetable oil), add the dough and turn to coat.  Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place in a warm spot until the dough doubles in size, about 1 hour.

Preheat the oven to 425 F.  Spray two baking sheets liberally with cooking spray.

Bring the water to a boil in a pan over high heat and add the baking soda.

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 about 22 inches.  Cut the dough into one inch pieces to make pretzel bites.  Boil the pretzel bites in the water solution in batches of about 10-15 for 30 seconds.  Remove with a large slotted spoon and place the pretzel bites on the prepared baking sheets, making sure they aren't touching.  Brush the tops with the egg wash (and course salt if you have it/ want salted pretzels... i dont like to add any extra salt if i don't have to).  Place into the oven and bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown. Its important to watch them because they go from light to dark very fast.... some of mine turned out a little darker than i like but they still tasted great!