Hot Honey Pretzels

INGREDIENTS

For dough:
5 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ cups warm water (105°F-110°F)
1 packet instant yeast, about 2 ¼ teaspoons
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 teaspoon Diamond Crystal® Baking Salt
¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
¼ cup hot honey
For boiling:
5 cups water
⅓ cup baking soda
½ cup hot honey, warmed, for glazing
Diamond Crystal® Kosher Salt, for sprinkling
For cheese sauce:
1 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 cup whole milk
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon Diamond Crystal® Kosher Salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

DIRECTIONS

For dough: Combine flour, water, yeast, sugar, baking salt, butter and honey in large bowl, and mix until dough forms. Turn dough out onto lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 5-7 minutes.
Place dough in lightly oiled bowl and cover with plastic wrap or damp cloth. Let dough rise in warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 450°F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and lightly grease with cooking spray. Set aside.
Punch down dough and divide into 16 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a long rope about 18-inches long and form into pretzel shape.
For boiling: Combine water and baking soda in large shallow pot over medium-high heat. Bring mixture to a boil and, working in batches, boil each pretzel about 30 seconds. Transfer to prepared baking sheets using slotted spoon. Brush pretzels gently with hot honey and sprinkle generously with kosher salt. Bake until golden-brown, about 12-15 minutes.
For cheese sauce: Melt butter in medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for about 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk, stirring constantly, until mixture is slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in Parmesan, garlic powder, kosher salt and pepper, until cheese is melted and sauce is smooth. Serve pretzels with Parmesan dipping sauce.