Chocolate Stuffed Pretzel Bites with Cream Cheese Dip

 It's hard to stop at one or ten of these.   These are also good without the cinnamon sugar.  You can use refrigerated biscuits if you don't want to make the dough.

CHOCOLATE SUFFED PRETZELS BITES WITH CREAM CHEESE DIP

CHESSE SUFFED PRETZEL BITES

(makes about 70-80 )

Pretzel Ingredients:

*1 1/2 cups warm water

*1 tablespoon granulated sugar

*2 teaspoons kosher salt

*2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast

*4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

*4 tablespoons butter, melted

*2 1/2 quarts water

*2/3 cups baking soda

*1 large egg yolk, beaten

*1 tablespoon water

*1/8 cup kosher salt for topping

*80 candy kisses

*1/4 cup butter, melted

*2 cups cinnamon sugar

Cream Cheese Dip Ingredients:

*1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese softened.

*2 tablespoons butter, softened

*1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

*1 cup powdered sugar

*4 tablespoons heavy cream (more if you want the dip thinner)

Directions:

~In a small bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups water, 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, and 2 teaspoons salt.

~Sprinkle 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast over water.

~Allow to sit for 10 minutes to allow the yeast to proof.

~Place 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour into a large mixing bowl.

~Make a well in the center.

~Add 4 tablespoons of melted butter and the yeast mixture into the flour well.

~Mix to form dough.

~Knead dough on a lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic.

~Lightly oil a large bowl.

~Place dough into the greased bowl and turn to coat both sides.

~Cover bowl with plastic wrap or a clean damp towel and allow dough to rise until doubled in size (about 1 - 1/2 hours).

~Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

~Line cookie sheets with parchment paper and spray with cooking spray.

~In a large pot, bring 2 1/2 quarts water and 2/3 cup baking soda to a boil.

~While you are waiting for the oven to preheat and the water to boil, turn the dough out onto a lightly oiled surface.

~In a small bowl, whisk 1 beaten egg and 1 tablespoon water together.

~Divide the dough into 8 pieces.

~Roll each piece into a long rope (about 22-24 inches long).

~Cut each rope into about 2-inch pieces.

~Roll each piece into a ball and then flatten.

~Place 1 candy kiss into the center.

~Close dough around candy kiss making sure to seal the edges.

~Drop dough into boiling water for about 30 seconds.

~Remove dough from water and place on prepared cookie sheet.

~Brush each pretzel with egg wash.

~Bake for 13-15 minutes, or until golden brown.

~Remove from oven.

~Dip pretzel bite into 1/4 cup melted butter a couple at a time.

~Dip immediately into cinnamon sugar and place on a cooking rack.

Cream Cheese Dip:

~In a medium mixing bowl, add 1 8-ounce package softened cream cheese, 2 tablespoons softened butter, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 cup powdered sugar and 4 tablespoons heavy cream until well mixed.

~If you want a thinner dip add more heavy cream.