Next, I preheat my oven to 425°F and prepare my baking sheet with parchment paper. While waiting, I once again give my dough a gentle punch down and roll it into long ropes, about 1 inch thick. I cut these ropes into 1-inch pieces and shape them into little pretzel bites. Meanwhile, in a large pot, I boil water and add baking soda. It’s so exciting (and a bit steamy) when I dunk my pretzel bites into this bubbling mixture for about 30 seconds each. This gives them that delightful golden color and distinctive flavor!
Once they’re boiled, I place the pretzel bites on the baking sheet, brush them with the beaten egg, and sprinkle with coarse sea salt. After that, they need about 12-15 minutes in the oven. The aroma of baking pretzels fills my kitchen, and I can hardly wait! While they bake, I melt my chocolate in the microwave, stirring until it’s smooth and glossy.
Once the pretzel bites have cooled slightly, I drizzle the melted chocolate over the tops and add sprinkles for that festive flair. I can already imagine the smiles when I serve these; they look gorgeous and taste even better!
Pro Tips for Best Results
I’ve tested this recipe several times, and one key thing I learned is to ensure your water’s temperature is just right for the yeast. Too hot and you’ll kill it, too cold and it won’t activate. I always double-check it with my kitchen thermometer, and it makes all the difference!
Also, don’t skip the baking soda bath. It sounds strange, but this step is crucial for that signature pretzel flavor and color. I experimented by omitting this step once, and trust me, the pretzels were just not the same!
Lastly, I recommend letting them cool on a wire rack instead of a plate. This prevents them from getting soggy on the bottom, keeping them crispy and perfect for dipping in more chocolate or a creamy cheese sauce.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
One common mistake I’ve made (and learned from) is not kneading the dough enough. The texture needs to be stretchy and smooth—think of a lovely bread dough. Make sure you spend that time gently kneading; your pretzel bites will thank you! (See the next page below to continue…)