DIY: Soft Pretzel Bites

Hey y'all,

O.M.G. you HAVE to take some time this weekend and make these DIY Soft Pretzels. If you don't like soft pretzels, we can't be friends. (just kidding but you really should love them). These were SO much simpler than I had anticipated and 100% worth the 30 minutes it takes to make them. I am still trying to perfect a cheese dip for them, so I will let everyone know once this comes to existence. These would go PERFECT with cheese fondue, if I only had a fondue pot!! (and a place to put it, our kitchen is EXTRA full these days). Read how to make them below:

Prep time: 15-20 minutes

Bake time: 8-10 minutes

What you'll need:

Randoms:

Kitchen aid mixer or mixer with dough hook attachment

Mixing bowl (standard kitchen aid bowl is what I used)

Dough hook

Standard mixing paddle

Baking sheet

Parchment paper

Medium sized pot

2 small microwave safe bowls

Brush to put on egg wash

Ingredients:

For the dough:

3/4 cup warm water

1 tsp dry active yeast

2 cup and 2 Tbps flour

2 Tbsp melted butter

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 tsp salt

1 Tbsp cornstarch

For the boiling:

8 cups of water

1/2 cup baking soda

For the wash:

1 egg beaten in 1 Tbsp cold water

Sea salt or pretzel salt

How to make it:

1) Preheat your oven to 450 degrees F.

2) Combine warm water and dry active yeast in large mixing bowl for 2-3 minutes or until yeast fully dissolves into water.

3) Add in melted butter, brown sugar, and salt.

4) Slowly add in the flour with the paddle attachment running slowly

5) Switch to dough hook and sprinkle in cornstarch. Let hook work with the dough for 4 minutes or until it is smooth. Afterwads, place plastic wrap over bowl for 5 minutes.

6) While dough hook is working and dough is rising, bring 8 cups of water to boil in medium pot. Once boiling add in the 1/2 cup of baking soda.

7) Place parchment paper over the baking sheet to prepare it for when pretzels are ready to be prepped.

8) Beat egg and water for egg wash. Set aside.

9) Separate the dough into sections. Roll out each section into 18 inch strips. Cut into 1-2inch pieces.

10) Drop pieces into boiling water for 30 seconds. They will float towards the top when they are "done".

11) Use slotted spoon to take out pieces and place onto baking sheet. Brush with egg wash.

*TIP: if wanting cinnamon sugar soft pretzels, instead of egg wash use 2 Tbsp. melted butter, brush on and sprinkle 2 tsp cinnamon and 2 Tbsp granulated white sugar combination onto pretzels. CAUTION: these tend to bake quicker than the other pretzels to keep a close eye out*

12) Bake for 10 minutes, or until golden brown.

That is it! Honestly this was so much simpler than the directions looked and SO DELICIOUS! Even Madi ate some! I honestly always thought pretzels were fried dough, and they could be at the mall stands, but these are not! Not terribly unhealthy right? But literally hard to tell the difference. If anyone has a great cheddar cheese dip recipe, hook me up!!

Hope you enjoy this as much as we did,

- Olivia :)