Description
Indulgent cheese stuffed soft pretzels bring German bakery magic straight to kitchen counters. Salty, stretchy dough wrapped around melted cheese creates a crowd-pleasing snack you can savor with friends and family.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Base:
- 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups warm water (should feel like bath water)
- 3 1/2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter
- 2 1/2 teaspoons instant yeast
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon sugar
Cheese Filling:
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, cut into 2-inch long sticks (about finger width)
Boiling & Finishing:
- 2/3 cup baking soda (for water bath)
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tablespoon water
- Coarse salt for sprinkling
Instructions
- Activate yeast by combining warm water and sugar in a stand mixer bowl. Sprinkle yeast on top and allow to foam for 10 minutes, indicating live and active yeast.
- Incorporate melted butter into the yeast mixture. Separately combine flour and salt, then add to the bowl. Use dough hook to mix on low until incorporated, then knead on medium speed for 4-5 minutes until dough becomes smooth and separates from bowl sides.
- Transfer dough to an oiled bowl, cover with a kitchen towel, and let rise in a warm environment until volume doubles, approximately 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 450°F. Prepare two parchment-lined baking sheets with oil. Simultaneously, bring a large pot of water to boil and add baking soda.
- Divide dough into 8 equal portions. Roll each piece into a 24-inch rope, flatten, and spread cheese along the center. Carefully fold and pinch dough around cheese, then twist into classic pretzel shape.
- Submerge pretzels in boiling water for 30 seconds, using a spoon to coat entire surface. Remove and place on prepared baking sheets.
- Generously brush pretzels with egg wash and sprinkle with coarse salt. Bake for 12 minutes until achieving a rich golden-brown color. Allow to cool on wire rack for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Activate Yeast Carefully to ensure perfect rising, use water between 100-110°F for optimal yeast activation without killing the microorganisms.
- Cheese Selection Experiment with different cheese varieties like sharp cheddar, gruyere, or pepper jack to create unique flavor profiles matching personal preferences.
- Gluten-Free Adaptation Substitute regular flour with a high-quality gluten-free blend containing xanthan gum for similar texture and structural integrity.
- Storage Strategy Wrap cooled pretzels individually in plastic wrap and freeze up to 3 weeks, reheating directly in the oven at 350°F for crispy texture restoration.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Appetizer, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg