– 1 ½ cups Warm water warmed to 110℉ – 2 ¼ teaspoon Active dry yeast 1 packet – 1 tablespoon Brown sugar – 2 teaspoon Salt – 4 cups All-purpose flour – ¼ cup Unsalted butter melted – 6-8 cups Water – ½ cup Baking soda – Pretzel salt – 1 Large egg egg wash – 1 tablespoon Water egg wash – 8 oz Sharp cheddar cheese shredded – ¼ cup Unsalted butter – ¼ cup All-purpose flour – 2 cups Milk – Salt and pepper to taste – ¼ teaspoon Red pepper flakes Optional
In a small dish, warm water to 110℉ and add yeast. Let it rest 10 minutes.Mix flour, brown sugar, salt, melted butter, and hot water/yeast in a large bowl.
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Mix low-speed with a dough hook in a stand mixer until dough forms. Knead for 5 minutes at medium speed. Make by hand directions are in notes.
2
Pre-heat the oven to 200℉. Lightly spray a big bowl with nonstick. Put dough in basin. Cover dough with a cloth. Put the bowl in the oven, turn it off, and open the door. Allow 30 minutes of rise.
3
Remove the dough from the bowl. Divide dough into 6. Roll each ⅙th of dough into an 18-20 inch log or rope. Cut into 2" pieces.
4
Use parchment on two cookie sheets. Be sure to spray parchment paper with nonstick. The bites will stick otherwise.Pour water and baking soda into a big saucepan. Heat to boiling on high.
5
Put 10 pretzel bits (depending on pot size) in boiling water. Boil for 15 seconds. Use a slotted spoon to remove the bits from the water. Drip as much water as possible from the dough.
6
Place boiling bites on parchment. Repeat until all bits are cooked. Pre-heat the oven to 400℉.Mix egg and water. Brush egg wash on bites using a pastry brush. Sprinkle coarse pretzel salt over top.
7
Bake each cookie sheet by itself. Bake 12-18 minutes. Baking pretzels till golden brown. While pretzels fry, create cheese sauce.Shred sharp cheddar. Set aside. Put butter in a medium sauce saucepan. Melt over medium heat.
8
Mix flour in. Cook 1 minute whisking.Add milk slowly. Add milk. Stir the flour mixture into the milk, then add the shredded cheese, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Heat 5 minutes to melt and thicken cheese.
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