# What you'll need:
→ Dough
01 - 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 packet instant yeast (7 g)
03 - 1 tablespoon sugar
04 - 1 teaspoon salt
05 - 1 cup warm milk (110°F)
06 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
→ Cheese Filling
07 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella
08 - 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
09 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
10 - 1 tablespoon chopped chives
11 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
12 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
→ Pretzel Bath & Topping
13 - 1/2 cup baking soda
14 - 8 cups water
15 - 1 egg, beaten
16 - Coarse pretzel salt
17 - 2 tablespoons melted butter (optional)
→ Garnish
18 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
19 - 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
# Method:
01 - Combine flour, yeast, sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Add warm milk and melted butter, mixing and kneading until a soft dough forms, about 5 to 7 minutes. Cover and allow to rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 45 minutes.
02 - In a separate bowl, combine mozzarella, cream cheese, Parmesan, chives, garlic powder, and black pepper until evenly blended. Set aside.
03 - Set oven to 400°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
04 - Punch down dough and divide into 24 equal portions. Flatten each, place approximately 1 teaspoon of cheese filling in the center, then seal dough around filling to form balls.
05 - Arrange the dough balls close together in a ring shape on the prepared baking sheet to create a wreath.
06 - Bring water and baking soda to a rolling boil in a large pot. Carefully lower each dough ball into the solution for 15 to 20 seconds, then return them to the baking sheet maintaining the wreath form.
07 - Brush the pretzel balls with beaten egg and sprinkle coarse pretzel salt evenly over them.
08 - Bake in the preheated oven for 18 to 22 minutes, until a deep golden brown color develops.
09 - Remove from oven and brush immediately with melted butter if desired. Garnish with chopped parsley and tuck halved cherry tomatoes between the pretzel bites for a festive presentation.
10 - Present warm, encouraging guests to pull apart the bites for sharing.
