Pretzel buns are all the rage in popular restaurants right now. Wendy's has a pretzel bacon cheeseburger. Sonic has a cheesy bacon pretzel dog. Copy cat these recipes at home! Easy to substitute vegetarian products for the meat! This recipe will serve 4.

For the Buns
3/4 cup warm water (110-115 degrees F)
2 tsp sugar
1 tsp sea salt
1 ^1/2 tsp active dry yeast
1 TB melted butter
2 ^1/4 cups flour
2/3 cup baking soda
1 large egg yolk
1 tablespoon water

Wendy's Pretzel Bacon Cheeseburger
1 lb ground chuck (lean beef will be healthier, a fattier beef will taste more like a fast food burger)
seasoning (you can season you burgers to your taste with salt, pepper, garlic/onion powder, etc.)
4 cheddar cheese slices
8 strips of applewood-smoked bacon
1/2 red onion
1 large tomato
1/2 cup lettuce

Honey Mustard Sauce (optional)
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
1/4 cup honey
1 TB mayonnaise
1/2 TB lemon juice

Sonic's Cheesy Bacon Pretzel Dog
4 all beef hot dogs
1/2 red or white onion, chopped
4 strips of bacon

Cheese Sauce
4 oz extra sharp cheddar cheese
^1/2 TB corn starch
6 oz evaporated milk

Step 1: Pretzel Bun Dough Prep

Combine the sugar, salt and warm water in a bowl. Sprinkle the yeast over the water and allow to bloom, which takes about 5 minutes.

Whisk in the melter butter and begin to slowly add the flour. If you have a stand mixer with a dough hook, you can let it do most of the work, otherwise mix the flour in by hand and begin to form the dough.

Knead the dough by hand on a floured counter or with the dough hook for 5 minutes and form into a smooth ball. Grease a bowl with oil and place the dough ball inside. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to sit in a warm place for an hour. The dough will expand to twice its size.

Step 2: Bun Shaping and Baking

Preheat your oven to 450 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Put a large pot of water to boil, adding in the baking soda.

Separate the dough into four balls. Shape into round hamburger buns or log-shaped hot dog buns depending on your dinner choice.

Drop the dough balls into the boiling water two at a time and allow to puff up for 1-2 minutes before removing to the baking sheet. With a sharp knife, score the top of the buns. (X the hamburger buns, / the hot dog buns)

Prepare an egg wash with the egg yolk and water. Brush the dough with the egg wash.

Bake the buns for 15-25 minutes until deep golden brown in color. Keep them warm in the oven until eating. If you want to freeze the buns for later use, undercook them a bit and allow them to cool. Place them in a freezer bag. When you need them, reheat them and allow them to fully brown.

Step 3: Pretzel Bacon Cheeseburgers!

Whisk all the honey mustard sauce ingredients together in a bowl.

Brown the bacon in a saute pan and set aside on paper towels.

Form the ground chuck into four patties. (Wendy's are square shaped) Season to your preference and brown in a pan or on the grill. You can stick the cheese on top and allow it to melt onto the patties.

Slice the onion and tomatoes, or leave them off if you don't want them.

Slice the buns in half and dress the burgers to your preference and enjoy!

Step 4: Cheesy Bacon Pretzel Dogs!

Brown the bacon and set aside on paper towels. Saute the onions in another pan.

Begin to grill or boil the your hotdogs.

In a small saucepan, whisk the cornstarch with the evaporated milk. Add in the cheese and cook over medium heat until the sauce is smooth and shiny.

Once the bacon has cooled enough, chop it into smaller pieces.

Slice the buns open and nestle the hot dogs inside, top with the cheese sauce, onions, and bacon bits. Enjoy!