Auntie Anne's Pretzel Bites

Ingredients:

1 cup milk ~ lukewarm (110 deg F)

1 tbsp brown sugar

1 tsp yeast

1 cup bread flour

1-1/2 cup AP flour

1 tsp salt

2 tbsp butter ~ melted

Baking bath

3 cup of water

1/3 cup baking soda

Topping

1 egg yolk + 1 tbsp water/milk

Pretzel salt or Kosher

Directions/Instructions:

1. Warm up the milk in the microwave for just about lukewarm, should be 100 deg F.  Stir in the brown sugar and yeast.  Let it sit for about 10 mins till it is foamy.
2. Pour the yeast mixture into the bread machine, add the dry ingredients and melted butter.  Press the "Dough" button on the BM and let it do the kneading.
3. Put the dough in a greased bowl and cover with cling wrap.  Let rise for 1 hour in a moist, warm place until doubled in size.
4. Punch down dough and divide into 12 lumps.  Roll each piece with your hand to form a thin rope.  Cut about 1-1/2-inch and place on the prepared parchment and cover.  Let it rest for another 10-15 mins.
5. In a pot, bring the water to a boil.  Then add the baking soda carefully.  Reduce the heat and add the cut dough for 30 sec.  Remove from the baking bath with a slotted spoon and place back on the baking sheet.
6. Brush egg wash and sprinkle with pretzel salt or coarse salt.  Bake the pretzel on a preheated oven at 200 deg C for about 10 mins or until golden browned.
7. Dip each homemade pretzel in the melted butter while hot