Homemade Auntie Anne's Pretzel Bites

Serves 1
tiktok.com

Directions

  1. 1Warm the milk and water in a small microwave-safe bowl for approximately 45 seconds.
  2. 2Warm the milk and water in a small microwave-safe bowl for approximately 45 seconds.
  3. 3Warm the milk and water in a small microwave-safe bowl for approximately 45 seconds.
  4. 4Add granulated sugar and instant yeast to the warm milk/water mixture, mix quickly, and let it sit for 5-8 minutes until the yeast blooms.
  5. 5Add granulated sugar and instant yeast to the warm milk/water mixture, mix quickly, and let it sit for 5-8 minutes until the yeast blooms.
  6. 6Add granulated sugar and instant yeast to the warm milk/water mixture, mix quickly, and let it sit for 5-8 minutes until the yeast blooms.
  7. 7In the bowl of a stand mixer, whisk together bread flour, brown sugar, salt, baking powder, and partially melted butter.
  8. 8In the bowl of a stand mixer, whisk together bread flour, brown sugar, salt, baking powder, and partially melted butter.
  9. 9In the bowl of a stand mixer, whisk together bread flour, brown sugar, salt, baking powder, and partially melted butter.
  10. 10Attach the dough hook to the stand mixer, add the bloomed yeast mixture to the dry ingredients, and mix on low speed until a dough ball forms.
  11. 11Attach the dough hook to the stand mixer, add the bloomed yeast mixture to the dry ingredients, and mix on low speed until a dough ball forms.
  12. 12Attach the dough hook to the stand mixer, add the bloomed yeast mixture to the dry ingredients, and mix on low speed until a dough ball forms.
  13. 13Sprinkle bread flour on a clean, dry counter and place the dough ball on top.
  14. 14Sprinkle bread flour on a clean, dry counter and place the dough ball on top.
  15. 15Sprinkle bread flour on a clean, dry counter and place the dough ball on top.
  16. 16Knead the dough by hand for about 3 minutes until it is slightly sticky and soft.
  17. 17Knead the dough by hand for about 3 minutes until it is slightly sticky and soft.
  18. 18Knead the dough by hand for about 3 minutes until it is slightly sticky and soft.
  19. 19Form the dough into a tight ball and place it in a well-oiled bowl.
  20. 20Form the dough into a tight ball and place it in a well-oiled bowl.
  21. 21Form the dough into a tight ball and place it in a well-oiled bowl.
  22. 22Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and a warm kitchen towel, allowing the dough to rise for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
  23. 23Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and a warm kitchen towel, allowing the dough to rise for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
  24. 24Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and a warm kitchen towel, allowing the dough to rise for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
  25. 25Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and preheat your oven to 400℉ (200°C).
  26. 26Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and preheat your oven to 400℉ (200°C).
  27. 27Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and preheat your oven to 400℉ (200°C).
  28. 28After the first rise, place the dough back onto a lightly floured counter and gently roll it out using a rolling pin.
  29. 29After the first rise, place the dough back onto a lightly floured counter and gently roll it out using a rolling pin.
  30. 30After the first rise, place the dough back onto a lightly floured counter and gently roll it out using a rolling pin.
  31. 31Cut the dough into 6 equal strips.
  32. 32Cut the dough into 6 equal strips.
  33. 33Cut the dough into 6 equal strips.
  34. 34Roll each strip out to about 22 inches long.
  35. 35Roll each strip out to about 22 inches long.
  36. 36Roll each strip out to about 22 inches long.
  37. 37Cut 1-inch pieces from the dough strips.
  38. 38Cut 1-inch pieces from the dough strips.
  39. 39Cut 1-inch pieces from the dough strips.
  40. 40In a medium mixing bowl, combine warm water and baking soda for the water bath.
  41. 41In a medium mixing bowl, combine warm water and baking soda for the water bath.
  42. 42In a medium mixing bowl, combine warm water and baking soda for the water bath.
  43. 43Dunk all the dough pieces into the water bath for a few seconds, then remove them, strain excess water, and place them on the baking sheet.
  44. 44Dunk all the dough pieces into the water bath for a few seconds, then remove them, strain excess water, and place them on the baking sheet.
  45. 45Dunk all the dough pieces into the water bath for a few seconds, then remove them, strain excess water, and place them on the baking sheet.
  46. 46Bake at 400℉ (200°C) on the center rack for 8-9 minutes until the tops are slightly golden and the bottoms are a deeper brown, keeping an eye on them as baking times may vary.
  47. 47Bake at 400℉ (200°C) on the center rack for 8-9 minutes until the tops are slightly golden and the bottoms are a deeper brown, keeping an eye on them as baking times may vary.
  48. 48Bake at 400℉ (200°C) on the center rack for 8-9 minutes until the tops are slightly golden and the bottoms are a deeper brown, keeping an eye on them as baking times may vary.
  49. 49Allow the pretzel bites to cool.
  50. 50Allow the pretzel bites to cool.
  51. 51Allow the pretzel bites to cool.
  52. 52Melt 5 tablespoons of butter.
  53. 53Melt 5 tablespoons of butter.
  54. 54Melt 5 tablespoons of butter.
  55. 55Divide the pretzel bites into two separate mixing bowls if making both salted and cinnamon sugar pretzels.
  56. 56Divide the pretzel bites into two separate mixing bowls if making both salted and cinnamon sugar pretzels.
  57. 57Divide the pretzel bites into two separate mixing bowls if making both salted and cinnamon sugar pretzels.
  58. 58Add melted butter to the pretzel bites.
  59. 59Add melted butter to the pretzel bites.
  60. 60Add melted butter to the pretzel bites.
  61. 61Add coarse salt or cinnamon sugar mixture to the pretzel bites.
  62. 62Add coarse salt or cinnamon sugar mixture to the pretzel bites.
  63. 63Add coarse salt or cinnamon sugar mixture to the pretzel bites.
  64. 64Toss the pretzels to incorporate the melted butter and toppings.
  65. 65Toss the pretzels to incorporate the melted butter and toppings.
  66. 66Toss the pretzels to incorporate the melted butter and toppings.
  67. 67Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
  68. 68Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
  69. 69Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
  70. 70Whisk in all-purpose flour until well incorporated and free of lumps.
  71. 71Whisk in all-purpose flour until well incorporated and free of lumps.
  72. 72Whisk in all-purpose flour until well incorporated and free of lumps.
  73. 73Slowly pour milk into the saucepan while gently whisking continuously to prevent flour from settling and burning.
  74. 74Slowly pour milk into the saucepan while gently whisking continuously to prevent flour from settling and burning.
  75. 75Slowly pour milk into the saucepan while gently whisking continuously to prevent flour from settling and burning.
  76. 76Once the milk mixture thickens, remove the saucepan from the heat.
  77. 77Once the milk mixture thickens, remove the saucepan from the heat.
  78. 78Once the milk mixture thickens, remove the saucepan from the heat.
  79. 79Add freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese and all seasonings.
  80. 80Add freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese and all seasonings.
  81. 81Add freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese and all seasonings.
  82. 82Gently fold in the cheese until it is melted and smooth.
  83. 83Gently fold in the cheese until it is melted and smooth.
  84. 84Gently fold in the cheese until it is melted and smooth.
  85. 85In a small bowl, combine all cream cheese frosting ingredients and mix very well with a rubber spatula until smooth.
  86. 86In a small bowl, combine all cream cheese frosting ingredients and mix very well with a rubber spatula until smooth.
  87. 87In a small bowl, combine all cream cheese frosting ingredients and mix very well with a rubber spatula until smooth.

Ingredients

  • 0.5 cup warm whole milk
  • 0.5 cup warm whole milk
  • 0.5 cup warm whole milk
  • 0.5 cup warm water
  • 0.5 cup warm water
  • 0.5 cup warm water
  • 2.25 tsp dry rapid/instant yeast
  • 2.25 tsp dry rapid/instant yeast
  • 2.25 tsp dry rapid/instant yeast
  • 1 tsp granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp granulated sugar
  • 3 cups bread flour
  • 3 cups bread flour
  • 3 cups bread flour
  • 0.33 cup dark brown sugar (lightly packed)
  • 0.33 cup dark brown sugar (lightly packed)
  • 0.33 cup dark brown sugar (lightly packed)
  • 0.5 tsp fine salt
  • 0.5 tsp fine salt
  • 0.5 tsp fine salt
  • 0.5 tsp baking powder
  • 0.5 tsp baking powder
  • 0.5 tsp baking powder
  • 2 tbsp unsalted partially melted butter
  • 2 tbsp unsalted partially melted butter
  • 2 tbsp unsalted partially melted butter
  • 2 cups warm water for water bath
  • 2 cups warm water for water bath
  • 2 cups warm water for water bath
  • 2 tbsp baking soda
  • 2 tbsp baking soda
  • 2 tbsp baking soda
  • 5 tbsp melted unsalted butter
  • 5 tbsp melted unsalted butter
  • 5 tbsp melted unsalted butter
  • cinnamon sugar
  • cinnamon sugar
  • cinnamon sugar
  • coarse sea salt or pretzel salt
  • coarse sea salt or pretzel salt
  • coarse sea salt or pretzel salt
  • 1.5 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1.5 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1.5 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 tbsp whole milk
  • 1 tbsp whole milk
  • 1 tbsp whole milk
  • 2 cups freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese
  • 2 cups freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese
  • 2 cups freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese
  • 0.25 tsp garlic powder
  • 0.25 tsp garlic powder
  • 0.25 tsp garlic powder
  • 0.25 tsp smoked paprika
  • 0.25 tsp smoked paprika
  • 0.25 tsp smoked paprika
  • 0.5 tsp fine salt
  • 0.5 tsp fine salt
  • 0.5 tsp fine salt
  • 0.25 tsp ground black pepper
  • 0.25 tsp ground black pepper
  • 0.25 tsp ground black pepper
  • 4 oz softened cream cheese
  • 4 oz softened cream cheese
  • 4 oz softened cream cheese
  • 2 cups sifted powdered sugar
  • 2 cups sifted powdered sugar
  • 2 cups sifted powdered sugar
  • 0.25 cup heavy cream
  • 0.25 cup heavy cream
  • 0.25 cup heavy cream

Equipment

small microwave-safe bowlstand mixerdough hookrolling pinpizza cuttermedium mixing bowlbaking sheetparchment papersaucepanwhiskspatula

Tips

  • Always use freshly grated cheese for the cheese dip to prevent clumping and separation.