Pretzel Dough~3 ways (Mozzarella Pretzel Bites)

Pretzel Dough~ 3 Ways

How much easier can it get?  Make one dough, and create 3 different things from it.  Mike and I recently had some store bought mozzarella pretzel bites (I don't remember the brand), and I wanted to replicate them.  I also had seen a picture of pretzel dogs and they sounded good too.  And of course, you can't make pretzel dough without making pretzels!   Over the next few posts, I'll share the recipes and instructions for each.  First up:  Mozzarella Pretzel Bites.

Mozzarella Pretzel Bites

You will need:
1 batch of pretzel dough (recipe below)
1 bowl of dipping solution (recipe below)
9 pieces of Mozzarella string cheese
1/4 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese

1.  Cut each piece of string cheese into 4 equal pieces.

2.  Divide pretzel dough into small balls (mine were just a little smaller than a golf ball).

3.  Flatten each dough ball in the palm of your hand and place the piece of string cheese in the middle.  Wrap dough around cheese and roll into a ball.

4.  Prepare dipping solution by mixing together ingredients until baking soda dissolves.  Dip each dough ball into the dipping solution and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

5.  Sprinkle Mozzarella cheese over each dough ball.

6.  Bake at 400 for 18 minutes, rotating pan halfway through baking.

Pretzel Dough

You will need:
1 teaspoon yeast
1-1/2 cups warm water (100-110 degrees)
4-1/2 cups flour
1-3/4 teaspoons salt
1-1/2 Tablespoons brown sugar
2 Tablespoons olive oil (can substitute vegetable oil or melted margarine/butter)
Dipping solution:
1 cup warm water
4 teaspoons baking soda
1 egg white

1.  In a small bowl, combine yeast and water, stirring until yeast dissolves.  Let it sit for 5 minutes.

2.  In your mixer bowl, combine flour, salt and brown sugar.

3.  Pour in yeast mixture and add oil.  Mix on low speed for 1 minute.

4.  Switch to dough hook and mix on  low speed for 2 minutes.  Let dough rest for 5 minutes.

5.  Continue mixing dough on medium-low speed for 3 minutes until a slightly tack ball of dough forms.

6.  Form dough into ball and place in a lightly oiled bowl.  Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight or for up to 4 days.

This was the first of three ways to use pretzel dough.  See the other two here:
Pretzel Dogs
Pretzels