Soft Pretzel Bites

This recipe was one that I wanted to try soooo bad but was scared.  I know I'm weird.  As soon as I did it finally I realized how completely EASY and YUMMY it is and have done it several times since!

4 -41/2 cups flour
2 tsp active dry yeast
1 1/2 cups milk
1/4 cup sugar
2 TBSP oil
1 tsp salt

Put milk in microwave and "nuke" for about 1 1/2 minutes.  you want it warm around 120 degrees, not boiling but enough to start your yeast proofing.  Add sugar and yeast to milk and let sit until yeast is bubbly, usually around 10 minutes.  Once yeast is proofed, put in mixer and add oil, and salt.  Add flour until dough is moderately stiff, and pulls away from sides of bowl.  Kneed for a few minutes.  Let sit until risen double in size.  When the yeast is almost done rising put a pot of water on to boil.  Turn dough onto floured surface and cut into 16 equal parts.  roll each part into a snake and cut into small bite sized pieces.  Once the pot of water is boiling add 1/3 cup of baking soda.  IT WILL BUBBLE UP LIKE CRAZY SO DO IT SLOWLY!!!  Once it's dissolved you can drop your bite sized pieces of dough into the boiling water and let cook for about 30 seconds.  I can usually get around 14 pieces in a large pot.  Pull them out and let them drain on a rack.  Once all your pieces are boiled put on a greased cookie sheet and bake at 350 for about 10-15 minutes or until brown.  Once they are done remove from cookie sheet and brush with melted butter.  After they are brushed with butter you can toss them in cinnamon and sugar or sprinkle them with salt.

Make 2 batches because they will be GONE in a flash!