Pretzel Bites

Ingredients

• For the dough: 1 kilo Flour (preferably sifted - rises better)
• 2 tablespoons Yeast
• 1 cup Starch (ashel)
• 100 grams Butter
• 1 and 3/4 Lukewarm water
• 1 tablespoon Salt
• 4 tablespoons Sugar
• For dipping Before baking:
• About 1 liter of water - it should be deep enough to submerge the pretzel bites
• 1 regular tion (cup of ice cube-sized measure)
• 3 tablespoons silan (date syrup)
• 2 tablespoons baking soda
• For garnish: coarse salt, sesame seeds
• For brushing after baking: 50 grams Butter
• 2 tablespoons Crushed garlic / garlic powder
• half teaspoon Salt

Preparation

1. Making the dough:

Mix all the dough ingredients using a dough hook / by hand:
Start with the dry ingredients except the salt: flour, yeast, sugar.
Gradually add the remaining ingredients while kneading: butter, water, starch.
Once everything comes together into a dough, add the salt and continue kneading for about 10 minutes.

Lightly grease the sides of the bowl, cover with plastic wrap and then with a towel.
I like to place a head of garlic between the plastic wrap and the towel for a faster and better rise.
If it's cold / you want a faster rise - you can preheat the oven to 50 degrees, turn it off and put the bowl with the dough in to rise. (Without the plastic wrap and towel, so they don't burn.)

Once the dough has risen, punch it down gently until the air is released.

Take a piece of dough and roll it into a 'sausage' shape about 5 cm thick, or any other size you like.

Prepare the dipping mixture:
Mix everything together and bring to a boil.
Once everything has dissolved, dip the pretzel bites into the hot mixture for about 30 seconds.

Arrange all the pretzel bites on baking paper in the pan - transfer carefully without damaging the shape. They are very soft after dipping in the hot water mixture.

Place in an oven preheated to 170 degrees for about 20 minutes, depending on the oven.
Bake until they are lightly golden.

I like to turn on the broiler for the last few minutes for a nice browning - not required. Depends on the oven. It's important to make sure they don't burn.

Immediately after baking, brush with a mixture of melted butter, crushed garlic or garlic powder, and salt.

A tasty snack; you can freeze them and thaw at room temperature.

Bon appétit :)