AJ’s Chocolate Filled Soft Pretzel Bites

Cooking with AJ is a special post that features recipes that I make with the kiddos.  I love making pretzels with them and they thought of a fun addition to the recipe.  We bring you AJ’s Chocolate Filled Soft Pretzel Bites!!

SOFT PRETZEL RECIPE

1 1/3 cups warm water (110 degrees) (see note)
2 tablespoons warm water (110 degrees) (see note)
1 (1/4 ounce) packet dry yeast
1/3 cup brown sugar
5 cups flour (may only need 4cups)
1/2 cup baking soda (DO NOT ADD TO THE PRETZEL MIXTURE THIS IS FOR THE WATER POT TO BOIL PRETZELS)
KOSHER SALT (see note)

Chocolate chips for center, you can also use chocolate kisses.

Directions:

In a large bowl for your mixer, mix 2 Tablespoons warm water with yeast to dissolve.
Stir in remaining warm water and brown sugar.
Using the dough hook, gradually add the flour until it forms a ball.
Turn out onto a work surface and knead until smooth.
Preheat your oven to 475 degrees
Spray 2 baking sheets with non-stick spray.
Bring 2 quarts water and the baking soda to a boil.
Cut dough into golf ball-size pieces, press the ball in your hand, add a few chocolate chips to the center and then cover the chocolate with dough, roll into a ball
Boil for 30 seconds, then drain and place on baking sheet.
Sprinkle with kosher salt.
Bake for 8 minutes or until golden brown.
TIPS: after making this recipe many times. I found I like to put an egg wash on the pretzels for a better color.

* I also take 2 TBSP. of butter melt it and add about ½ tsp. table salt mix and put on pretzels with a pastry brush after they come out of the oven. I don’t keep kosher salt on hand so this works fine as a substitute.

* water temp needs to be 110 for the yeast, it can’t be too cold or too hot, 110 degrees is just right.