pretzels with homemade Cheese Dip

What You Need:                Time: 2 hrs             Makes: 15 pretzels              Recipe From: DeCoste Kitchen           
- Pretzels
2 tsp of yeast
1/2 a cup of sugar
2 teaspoons of kosher salt + some more for sprinkling 
5 cups flour
1 1/2 cups of warm water
1 1/2 tbsps of olive oil
1/3 a cup of baking soda 
4 cups of hot water
1 stick of butter (1/2 cup or 4 tbsps) 
olive oil cooking spray
- Cheese Dip
1/4 a stick of butter
1 1/4 a cup of milk
1/2 a cup of cheddar cheese
1/4 a cup of mozzarella
1/2 a teaspoon of mustard to taste
1/4 a tsp of salt
sprinkle of pepper
sprinkle of garlic

To Make Pretzels

1. In a large bowl mix together yeast, sugar, salt, and flour until it is thoroughly combined.
2. Make a well in the middle of the flour mixture and pour in warm water and oil. Stir thoroughly. 
3. Once the mixture begins to resemble a dough knead by hand. Once all the flour has become dough spray a bowl with oil and lay dough to rise for a least an hour. 
4. Once dough has risen to at least double its original size it is ready to form. 
5. Knead dough into a large ball. Try not to completely squish the air out. Once in a ball divide into parts. Each part will be a pretzel. The size of the pretzel is up to you, but a good sized pretzel is a three inch ball. 
6. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Roll out each little ball into a long snake about a foot and a half. To shape the dough into a pretzel; make an arch with the pretzel ends coming down into a heart. Twist the ends around each other and press into the sides of the pretzel. 
7. Once all the pretzels have been shaped it is time to make the baking soda mixture. In a medium sized heat proof bowl mix together the 4 cups of hot water and the baking soda together. Dip each pretzel into the mixture and then place it on a cooking sheet covered in wax paper. 
8. Once all the pretzels are on the sheet brush the butter over the top and sprinkle with salt. bake for 8-10 minutes or until they are they are a nice dark gold. Serve fresh with the cheese dip. 

To Make Cheese Dip

1. In a medium sized sauce pan melt butter on medium high heat. 
2. Once butter is completely melted add the milk, mustard, and both cheeses. Turn down heat and mix constantly until the cheese is no longer solid but has melted into the sauce giving it a thick texture. 
3. Once cheese is melted remove from heat and season with salt, pepper, and garlic. 
4. Serve warm with pretzels. Store for up to 4 days.