cinnamon sugarfor topping (optional, but why wouldn't you?)
Instructions
Combine the flour, salt, sugar, yeast, and warm water by hand or with the dough hook of your stand mixer. Knead until dough is smooth and soft, about 5 minutes. Dough will be slack, but should just clear the bottom of the bowl. Flour the dough and cover with plastic wrap; let rest for 30 minutes.
While dough is resting, combine the boiling water and the baking soda. Stir until soda is dissolved, then let cool.
After 30 minutes, turn out dough onto a lightly floured surface and divide into 6 pieces. Roll the pieces into ropes between 12 and 15 inches in length. Cut each rope into 12 pieces. My dough scraper worked well here.
Pour the baking soda water into a 9x13 inch pan or a bowl large enough to hold all the dough bites;. Place bites in the solution, swish them around, and let them rest in the solution for 2 minutes. As you remove the dough from its bath, be sure to let the bites drain well. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and top liberally with kosher salt or coarse sugar.
Bake at 400F for 12-15 minutes, until golden brown. Cool and freeze them, if you'd like.
Brush with them in melted butter (or roll, which is what the original recommends), then add more salt or sugar. Toss with cinnamon sugar if desired. Serve immediately.