Pretzel Bites

Ingredients: Soft Pretzels

 1 1/2 cups warm water

 2 tablespoons light brown sugar

 1 package active dry yeast (2 and 1/4 teaspoons)

 6 tablespoons unsalted butter melted

 2 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt

 4 1/2 to 5 cups all-purpose flour

 Vegetable oil

 3 quarts water

 1/3 cup baking soda for boiling the pretzels

 1 whole egg beaten with 1 tablespoon cold water

 Coarse sea salt

Ingredients: Cheese Sauce

 ½ Tablespoon unsalted butter

 ½ Tablespoon all-purpose flour

 ½ cup milk

 8 ounces Cheddar cheese grated

Instructions: Pretzels

1. For the Pretzels: Combine the 1 1/2 cups water, sugar, yeast, and butter in the bowl of a stand mixer and mix with the dough hook until combined. Let sit for 5 minutes.
2. Add the salt and 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, about 3 to 4 minutes. If the dough appears too wet, add additional flour, 1 tablespoon at a time. Remove the dough from the bowl, place on a flat surface and knead into a ball with your hands.
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 degrees F.
5. Bring the 3 quarts of water to a boil in a small roasting pan over high heat and carefully add the baking soda. It will boil over, so add slowly and be careful!
6. Remove the dough from the bowl and place on a flat surface. Divide and roll into strands, cut the dough into one inch pieces to make the pretzel bites. Boil the pretzel bites in the water solution in batches. We did about 15 bites at a time. Boil for about 30 seconds. Remove with a large slotted spoon. Place pretzel bites on a baking sheet that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Make sure they are not touching. Brush the tops with the egg wash and season liberally with the salt. Place into the oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes until golden brown.
7. Remove to a baking rack and let rest 5 minutes before eating. Serve with cheese sauce.

Instructions: Cheese Sauce

Cheat method is just to buy nacho sauce in the salsa aisle. I personally think it tastes better and gives it that unhealthy, yet delicious, ballpark flavor. 

1. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour and cook 1 minute.
2.  Whisk in the milk and cook until slightly thickened. 
3. Remove from heat and stir in the Cheddar cheese until smooth and all of the cheese is melted. 
4. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.