Homemade Pretzel Bites with Cheddar Cheese Sauce

For the pretzels:

1. Combine water, sugar, yeast and butter in the bowl of a stand mixer and mix until combined. Let it sit for 5 minutes.
2. Add the salt and flour and mix on low speed (using dough hook) until combined. Increase the speed to medium and continue mixing until dough is smooth and begins to pull away from the side of the bowl. This will probably take about 3-4 minutes. If dough appears too wet, add more flour a tablespoon at a time.
3. Remove the dough from bowl, place on a flat, floured surface and knead into a ball.
4. Coat a bowl with olive oil, add the dough into the bowl and roll it to coat with oil. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, place in a warm draft-free spot and allow to rise until doubled in size.
5. Preheat oven to 425 F.
6. Bring 12 cups of water to boil in a medium-sized sauce pan then add baking soda.
7. Remove the dough from the bowl and place on a floured surface. Divide dough into eight equal pieces. Roll each piece into a rope about 22 inches long. Cut dough into about 1-inch pieces.
8. Boil the dough pieces in the water solution in small batches, about 10-15 at a time. Boil for about 30 seconds. Remove them with a slotted spoon. Repeat with the remaining dough pieces.
9. Place the boiled pretzel bites on a baking sheet that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Try to keep the bites from touching.
10. Combine the egg and 1 tablespoon of water in a small bowl. Brush the tops of the pretzel bites with the egg wash and sprinkle liberally with salt.
11. Bake for 15-18 minutes or until golden brown.
12. Remove the pans to a baking rack and allow the pretzels to cool for 5 minutes before eating.
13. While pretzel bites are baking, make cheese sauce.

For the cheese sauce:

14. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add flour and cook 1 minute. Whisk in the milk and cook until slightly thickened.
15. Remove from heat, stir in the cheeses until smooth and all of the cheese is melted. Add the salt, pepper and garlic powder. Stir until smooth.

Dip pretzels in the cheese sauce. Enjoy!

Adapted from: Two Peas and Their Pod.