Soft Pretzel Bites

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups warm water
• 1 packet active dry yeast
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 4.5 cups bread flour
• 2 tsp kosher salt
• 4 tbsp melted butter
• 10 cups water plus 2/3 cup baking soda for the bath
• 1 egg, beaten
• Pretzel salt

Instructions

1. 1

   Stir the yeast and brown sugar into the warm water and let it sit until foamy, about five minutes.

2. 2

   Mix in the flour, salt, and melted butter, then knead for eight minutes until the dough is smooth and springs back when poked.

3. 3

   Let the dough rise in an oiled bowl for an hour, then roll it into ropes and cut them into one-inch pieces.

4. 4

   Boil the pieces in the baking soda bath for thirty seconds a batch, lifting them out with a slotted spoon onto a lined sheet.

5. 5

   Brush with egg wash, salt heavily, and bake at 425F for twelve to fifteen minutes until dark mahogany brown.