Copycat Auntie Anne’s Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Bites

Instructions

1. Combine 1 cup warm water, yeast and 1/2 tsp granulated sugar, in the bowl of a stand mixer. 
2. Whisk to dissolve and allow to rest 10 minutes. (It should smell like bread and bubble a bit. If it doesn’t the yeast is bad) 
3. Fit the mixer with whisk attachment and mix in remaining granulated sugar, brown sugar, vegetable oil and salt. 
4. Slowly add in bread flour and mix until well blended on low.
   
5. Switch to the hook attachment and slowly add in all-purpose flour to begin kneading the dough. 
6. Knead mixture on low speed until smooth an elastic, adding up to an additional 1/4 cup flour as needed (you want a soft dough and it may seem slightly sticky). 

When removing the dough from the bowl it should not be WET where it won’t hold shape. Add a tbsp of flour at a time to help it form a stiffer ball. 

1. Transfer to a lightly oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap or a damp dish towel and allow to rest in a warm place until doubled in size (I like to let mine rest on the back burner of the stove with the oven on 300). 
2. After an hour, punch dough down and divide into 6 equal portions. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. 
3. Cover the ones you aren't currently rolling loosely with plastic wrap or damp towel (to prevent drying). 
4. Roll each portion into a rope about 16-20 -inches long 
5. Do this by rolling or pulling on each side and flicking upward like a jump rope and slapping onto the countertop). 
6. Cut into bite size pieces (about 1 1/4-inches each).
   
7. Cover with cloth while working
   
8. Pour hot water and baking soda into a mixing bowl and whisk to dissolve.
9. Lightly spray parchment lined baking sheet with non stick spray 
10. Using a slotted spoon, dip several pieces of dough into the water mixture, then lift and allow excess water to drip off, place on parchment lined baking sheet. 
11. Repeat process working in batches and using two baking sheets, and rewarm water in microwave until hot between batches. 
12. If it sticks to the parchment, dip your fingers in the water and pull it up. 
13. Bake in preheated oven 8 - 11 minutes until tops are nicely golden brown. 
14. Remove from oven and using a slotted spoon, dip into melted butter, toss to evenly coat then lift and shake off excess. 
15. Toss in cinnamon sugar Or 
16. Place all bites in a large bowl (with top), pour melted butter and cinnamon sugar mix into the bowl. Cover with top and shake, shake, shake!