Design Eat Repeat

0 In a medium-sized bowl or measuring cup, stir together warm water [adjustable](1 cup), active dry yeast (2 ¼ teaspoons), light brown sugar (2 tablespoons), and melted salted butter (2 tablespoons)[/adjustable]. You can get the warm water directly from the faucet - no need to heat it up more. Let sit for 10 minutes or until there's a layer of foam/bubbles on the top.*See notes below if your mixture doesn't foam or bubble.
2 While the yeast is proofing, mix together all-purpose flour [adjustable](3 cups) and salt (1 teaspoon)[/adjustable] in a large bowl. Use your hand to create a crater in the middle of the bowl. This is where you'll pour the water mixture.After the 10 minutes have passed, stir the yeast mixture and pour into the crater you created in the flour bowl.
4 Use a spatula to mix the dough until it's combined. Once all the flour is incorporated, use your hands to knead the dough into a smooth ball. This should only take 1-2 minutes tops (any longer and you'll overwork the dough).
6 Grease the bowl with oil and place the dough ball back into the bowl, coating the dough in the oil. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap (or a clean dish towel) and let sit for 30 minutes. This will allow the dough to rest & rise a tiny bit (it won't rise much, which is fine).
10 Preheat oven to 375℉ and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
8 Pat hot dogs dry.
22 Divide pretzel dough in 8-10 pieces (based on how many hot dogs you have in the pack) and roll into a long rope, about 12-14" long.
21 Wrap half a slice of cheese around the hot dog then wrap each with a pretzel dough rope.
19 In a medium bowl, mix together warm water [adjustable](1 cup) and baking soda (1 tablespoon)[/adjustable]. Be sure to use a tablespoon and not a teaspoon!
12 Dip each wrapped hot dog in the baking soda bath, place on a prepared baking sheet, then sprinkle with coarse salt.
16 Bake for 12-16 minutes, or until golden brown.
20 Use a pastry brush or spoon to brush warm pretzel dogs with melted salted butter. This is what truly gives it that mall pretzel taste - don't skip the salted butter! 
18 Enjoy warm with cheese sauce or your favorite dipping sauce!