Pretzel Bites

In a mixing bowl, add:
1 1/2 cups warm water
1 tbsp. sugar
2 tsp. salt
4 1/4 tsp. yeast (or 1 package)

Proof the yeast (allow to sit until 5-10 min. until frothy).

Add and mix on low, then medium:
1/4 cup melted butter
4 1/2 cups flour, 1 cup at a time

Grease bowl and turn dough over in it.  Cover with a clean dish cloth and let rise for about 1 hour.

Preheat the oven to 450*. Spray 2 pans with oil.  Set aside.

Bring 10 cups of water and 2/3 cup of baking soda to a rolling boil in an 8-quart saucepan.

In the meantime, turn the dough out onto a slightly oiled work surface.  Roll into 1" size balls. 

Place the pretzels into the boiling water, 1 by 1, for 30 seconds.  Remove them from the water (they will start floating when they are ready).  Place onto the greased pan and brush the top of each pretzel with the beaten egg yolk and 1 tbsp. water mixture and sprinkle with salt. Bake until dark golden brown in color, approximately 12 to 14 minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack for at least 5 minutes before serving.

For a yummy twist, prepare as directed but don’t sprinkle with salt before baking.  Immediately after removing pretzels from oven, brush with melted butter and toss in a bowl of cinnamon-sugar.