Bread Machine Pretzel Bites with Cheese Sauce

Instructions

• In the pan of your bread machine, add the 2 tablespoons melted butter, water, brown sugar, salt, flour, and yeast in the order recommended by the manual of your bread machine.
• Program the machine to the dough cycle.
• Start the cycle and allow the machine to prepare the dough.
• When the cycle is complete, remove the dough from the pan onto a cutting board.
• Separate the dough into 4 pieces.
• Roll each piece into a 20″ log. Cut into bite-size pieces.
• In a saucepan, heat water to a simmer. Add the baking soda.
• Dip the pretzel bites into the water for about 30 seconds. Work in small batches so the dough is not in the water too long.
• Remove the dough onto a greased sheet pan.
• Allow to cool for 3 – 5 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
• In a small bowl, whisk the egg and a splash of water to make an egg wash.
• Brush each pretzel bite with the egg wash. Sprinkle with coarse salt (if desired).
• Bake for approximately 16 minutes. Flip the pretzel bites and rotate the pans about 9 – 10 minutes into the cook to brown on all sides.
• When the pretzel bites are done, remove from the oven. Remove to platter and allow to cool slightly.
• Serve with Amy’s Cheese Sauce. You can also brush some with butter and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.

Amy’s Cheese Sauce

• In a small sauce pan over medium-low heat, add butter. Allow to melt.
• Sprinkle in the flour. Cook the roux a few minutes while whisking. Do not brown. It should be a blond roux.
• Add the heavy cream and cheese.
• Stir over medium-low until the cheese is melted and the sauce is thickened.
• Remove to a bowl.
• Serve with your pretzel bites!