Homemade Soft Pretzel Bites Two Ways Recipes

EASY HOMEMADE SOFT PRETZEL BITES

Steps:

• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, combine the water, sugar and kosher salt. Sprinkle the yeast on top and allow it to sit for 5 minutes.
• Add the flour and butter to the bowl and mix on low until the ingredients are combined.
• Increase the speed to medium and knead the dough until it is smooth and pulls away from the side of the bowl, about 3 minutes.
• Remove the dough from the bowl. Clean the bowl, grease it with vegetable oil and return the dough to the bowl. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place it in a warm, dark place until it has doubled in size, about 1 hour.
• Preheat the oven to 450°F and position the oven racks in the middle two positions in your oven.
• Line two baking sheets with parchment paper then lightly oil the paper.
• In a large, heavy-bottomed stock pot, stir together the 10 cups of water and the baking soda then bring the mixture to a rolling boil.
• Turn the dough onto your work surface and divide it into 6 pieces. (Do not flour your work surface.)
• Roll each piece into a rope roughly 1-inch in diameter then cut each rope into 1-inch pieces to form the pretzel bites.
• In batches, add the bites to the boiling baking soda mixture for 30 seconds then use a slotted spoon to remove them onto the oiled baking sheets.
• Brush the bites with the egg wash and sprinkle them with kosher salt.
• Bake the bites until golden brown in color, 10 to 12 minutes, rotating the pans (between racks and turning to rotate pans) halfway through.
• Remove the soft pretzel bites from the oven and serve.
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HOMEMADE SOFT PRETZEL BITES (TWO WAYS) RECIPE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees, line one baking sheet with parchment paper or a Silpat mat, set aside.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, add warm water. Sprinkle yeast and allow to dissolve for 2-3 minutes. Add brown sugar, butter and salt. With mixing speed on low add the flour a half cup at a time. When all of the flour is gone sprinkle in the cornstarch, switch to the dough hook attachment (or place dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 4 minutes), mix on low for 4 minutes or until the dough is smooth and elastic. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and allow dough to rest for 5 minutes.
• Divide dough into 6 equal size pieces. Roll each ball into a long rope, about about ½" wide. I like to wet my hands a bit for this if my dough isn't tacky. It helps! Cut 1½" pieces.
• Place 10 bites into a pot with boiling water and baking soda. Allow the bites to cook for about 30 seconds, then remove and place on the prepared baking sheet. Brush with egg wash and salt immediately (if doing salted). Place in the oven and bake for about 10 minutes or until the bites are golden brown, just watch them so they don't burn! If doing the cinnamon sugar version, immediately dip the tops of the bites into the melted butter and then into the cinnamon sugar mixture.

SOFT PRETZELS TWO WAYS

Steps:

• For the baking soda bath: Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F.
• Spread out the baking soda on a rimmed baking sheet and bake for 1 hour. Set aside to cool. This can be prepped ahead and stored in an airtight container for several weeks. (Even though the baked baking soda isn't as strong as lye, what is traditionally used for making pretzels, it could still potentially irritate your skin, so avoid touching it with bare hands once it's out of the oven.)
• To make the baking soda bath: Place the baked baking soda in an 8-inch square baking dish and add 2 cups of water. Gently whisk it to dissolve the baking soda. (It likely won't all dissolve; a few baking soda chunks are totally okay as long as you remove any that stick to the dough.) Set aside.
• For the pretzels: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Unroll the dough with a long edge facing you. Cut twelve 1-inch vertical strips.
• One at a time, twist 6 of the strips a few turns, then form into circles and press the ends together. Transfer to one of the prepared baking sheets, leaving room between each circle. These will be the savory pretzels.
• Cut the remaining 6 strips into 1-by-2-inch rectangles and transfer to the other prepared baking sheet, leaving room between each rectangle. These will be the sweet pretzels.
• Working in batches using gloved hands, tongs or a slotted spoon, immerse the pretzel dough pieces in the baking soda bath for 2 to 3 minutes on each side. Transfer to a plate or pan lined with a paper towel and pat them dry; place them back on the baking sheet.
• Brush the dough with the egg wash. Sprinkle the circles with flaky salt and the rectangles with cinnamon sugar. Bake until deep golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes for the rectangles and about 15 minutes for the circles.
• Serve the savory pretzels with the Obatzda (Beer Cheese) and the sweet pretzels with the Glaze for dipping.
• Combine the cheese, butter, beer, cream, chives, paprika, caraway if using, onion and some salt and pepper in a food processor and blend to combine until smooth. Transfer to a serving bowl. Taste and adjust the salt and pepper as needed. Top with additional paprika and chives.
• Add the sugar, milk and vanilla to a bowl and whisk until smooth. If too thick, add more milk as needed. If too thin, add more powdered sugar. Serve with sweet pretzel bites!