Macaroni Cheese Pretzel Bites with Bacon

• 1 teaspoons envelope Red Star Platinum yeast (2 1/4)
• 1 1/2 cups warm water
• 5 cups all purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 1/2 pounds pre-made macaroni and cheese
• 8 slices cooked bacon (chopped into fine crumbles)
• 3 quarts water
• 3/4 cup baking soda
• 1 large egg

For The Cheese Dipping Sauce:

• 1 1/4 cups grated cheddar
• 1/2 cup beer
• 1 tablespoon flour
• 1/2 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 6 tablespoons milk
• Salt and black pepper to taste

1. In a small bowl combine the warm water and yeast. Whisk gently and let sit for five minutes.
2. In a large bowl mix together the flour, salt and grated Parmesan cheese.
3. Add the water/yeast mixture to the flour and mix with a wooden spoon or your hands until it becomes a ball.
4. Transfer to a stand mixer with a dough hook. Mix on low speed for about 5 minutes and the dough has came together. Dump it out onto a clean work surface dusted lightly with flour and knead the dough into an even ball shape.
5. Grease the large bowl you just used with the olive oil. Place the dough into the greased bowl and cover with a cloth. Let it rest until it has doubled in size.
6. Once it has doubled, dump it back onto your work area and gently punch it down with your fingers until it's about an inch thick.
7. Cut the dough in a grid-like pattern creating squares about 2 x 2 inches.
8. Roll out each piece of dough roughly into a circle shape. Place a teaspoon of macaroni in the center of the dough.
9. Bring two sides of the dough into the middle to meet and pinch. Bring the other sides of the dough into the middle and pinch all the parts creating a seal on the bottom of the now stuffed pretzel bite.
10. Roll gently in the palm of your hand to get an even circle and set on a baking tray.
11. Bring the three quarts of water to a boil. When the water is boiling, add the baking soda and stir. Be careful because it'll foam up. Stir. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line two baking trays with parchment paper and set aside.
12. Add the pretzel bites to the boiling water in stages, and boil for about one minute. Drain with a slotted spoon and transfer back to their tray.
13. Once the bites have all been boiled, place them on their parchment lined trays proper side up.
14. Brush each pretzel bite with the egg and press some of the bacon crumbs on top.
15. Place in the oven and bake for about 15 minutes and the bites have a nice dark color to them.
16. Let them cool while you make the sauce.
17. In a small pot, bring the beer to a boil. Add the flour and simmer for five minutes.
18. Add the cheese, mustard and milk. Whisk until the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Add a little more milk if the sauce is too thick. You can also reheat it in the microwave if it becomes cool and thickens.