PRETZEL BITES WITH CHEESE INSIDE RECIPES

Steps:

• Pour milk into a large bowl; stir in sugar until dissolved. Sprinkle the yeast over the milk mixture. Let stand 5 minutes. Add 2 1/3 cups of the flour, butter and 1 teaspoon salt. Stir until combined. Turn out onto a floured surface. Knead for 5 to 7 minutes or until a soft dough forms, adding additional flour as needed (dough should remain a little sticky). Place dough in a lightly greased bowl, turning once to grease surface. Cover and let rise in a warm place until double in size (about 1 hour).
• Preheat oven to 450°F. Grease two 15x10x1-inch baking sheets.
• Punch dough down. Turn out onto a clean, dry work surface. Divide dough into 8 portions. Roll each to a 12-inch rope. Cut each rope into 6 portions. Flatten each portion to a 3-inch circle. Top each with a cheese piece and 1 to 2 jalapeño slices. Bring up edges of each circle around filling and pinch to seal and shape into a ball.
• In a 2-quart saucepan heat 3 cups water to just steaming. Stir in baking soda (mixture will foam). Use a slotted spoon to lower pretzel balls, in batches, into the soda mixture for 10 seconds. Remove and place on paper towels to blot dry. Arrange 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets.
• In a small bowl combine the egg yolk and 1 tablespoon water. Brush pretzels balls with yolk mixture. Sprinkle with coarse salt. Bake for 8 minutes or until golden. Cool slightly; serve warm with mustard.

Steps:

• Place 1 1/2 cups water, butter, brown sugar, yeast, and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the hook attachment. Mix until well combined. Let sit for about 5 minutes.
• Turn mixer on low speed and add 4 cups flour, 1 cup at a time. Add additional 1/2 cup flour if dough appears sticky. Increase speed to medium and knead until dough is smooth and pulls away from the sides of the bowl, 4 to 5 minutes. Sprinkle in more flour if dough still seems a little tacky.
• Oil a large mixing bowl. Add the ball of dough. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour.
• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Grease a sheet pan with cooking spray.
• Bring 3 quarts water to a boil in a large saucepan. Slowly add baking soda and return to a boil.
• Meanwhile, remove dough from the bowl, flatten into a disc shape, and cut into 8 wedges. Roll each wedge into a 24-inch rope. Cut each rope into 1-inch pieces.
• Drop batches of dough pieces into the boiling water for about 35 seconds. Remove to the prepared sheet pan. Beat egg with 1 tablespoon water; brush over the tops of each boiled dough piece. Repeat with remaining dough.
• Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, 14 to 16 minutes. Cool slightly before serving.