Pretzel Recipe

Alright, I'm a sucker for mall pretzels. I think what makes these so amazingly delicious is: the fact that I actually let  myself submerge them in butter (just like the store)

Cinnamon & Sugar Pretzel Bites

1 package of active dry yeast
2 Tablespoon sugar (or brown sugar)
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cup warm water
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup bread flour (if you don't have you can substitute with 1 cup regular flour then minus 2 TBL)

TOPPING
4 Tablespoons melted butter
5 Tablespoons  sugar (for this part we're using sugar substitute. I  like to think that any less sugar is better) mixed with 1 tsp cinnamon

Directions

In mixing bowl add dry yeast, water, and sugar. Let sit for ten minutes. Mix in flour and knead for about 8 minutes. There is something I've learned over the last few years: The stickier the dough the better the rise. I've noticed when the dough is in a perfect ball and a little more firm the end results are a little dryer.

After the dough has doubled in size, it's time to shape them. I like to cut the dough in half and then cut long strips off to form either the pretzel, or the bites.

 

Now, I made mine two ways:
My typical way is to  drop the pretzels into a baking soda bath for a few seconds before baking. The others I left like the recipe. After baking you can see the difference in color that the  baking soda ones have:

5. Place on a parchment paper covered cookie sheet and let rise for 20 minutes. (this only needs to happen when the dough is not already soft!)

6. Bake at 450 degrees for about 8 minutes.

7. Place on cooling rack dip or brush with melted butter and either sprinkle cinnamon sugar or salt onto them. They are best when served warm, if you can get that far. I was making them before lunch and started to snack. 

Original source: http://zakkalife.blogspot.com/2011/03/recipe-cinnamon-sugar-pretzel-bites.html