# 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 cheese
08 - 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
09 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
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 beaten egg (for egg wash)
16 - Coarse pretzel salt for sprinkling
17 - 2 tablespoons melted butter (optional, for brushing)
→ Garnish
18 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
19 - 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
# Directions:
01 - In a large bowl, combine flour, yeast, sugar, and salt. Add warm milk and melted butter. Mix and knead until a soft, smooth dough forms, about 5 to 7 minutes. Cover and let it rise in a warm place for 45 minutes until doubled in size.
02 - While the dough rises, blend mozzarella, cream cheese, Parmesan, chives, garlic powder, and black pepper in a bowl until thoroughly combined. Set aside.
03 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
04 - Punch down the dough and divide it into 24 equal pieces. Flatten each piece, place approximately 1 teaspoon of cheese filling in the center, and pinch the dough around the filling to seal it into a ball.
05 - Arrange the filled dough balls close together in a ring shape on the prepared baking sheet to form a wreath.
06 - Bring water and baking soda to a boil in a large pot. Carefully lower each dough ball into the boiling bath for 15 to 20 seconds, then remove and return to the baking sheet, maintaining the wreath arrangement.
07 - Brush each ball with the beaten egg and sprinkle with coarse pretzel salt.
08 - Bake in the preheated oven for 18 to 22 minutes until deep golden brown.
09 - Immediately brush the baked pretzel bites with melted butter, if desired. Garnish with chopped parsley and nestle halved cherry tomatoes between the balls for a festive presentation.
10 - Serve warm and enjoy by pulling apart individual pretzel bites.
