Description
Delicious homemade cheese-stuffed pretzels featuring a soft, chewy dough filled with melted cheese, boiled briefly in baking soda water for the perfect pretzel texture, and baked to golden perfection. Perfect as a savory snack or appetizer.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast
- 1 cup warm water (110°F/45°C)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Filling
- 8 oz block of cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or your favorite), cut into small cubes
Boiling Solution
- 8 cups water
- 1/4 cup baking soda
Topping
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- Coarse salt, for topping
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: Combine warm water, granulated sugar, and active dry yeast in a bowl. Let the mixture sit until it becomes foamy, about 5-10 minutes, indicating the yeast is active.
- Make Dough: Add melted unsalted butter, all-purpose flour, and salt to the yeast mixture. Knead the ingredients together until you obtain a smooth, elastic dough. Cover and allow the dough to rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Shape Pretzels: Divide the risen dough into equal portions. Take each portion and flatten it slightly before placing some cubed cheese in the center. Fold the dough over to enclose the cheese completely, then shape each filled portion into a classic pretzel shape.
- Boil Pretzels: Bring 8 cups of water to a boil and add 1/4 cup baking soda. Carefully drop each pretzel into the boiling baking soda water and boil for 20-30 seconds. This step gives the pretzels their characteristic chewy crust.
- Apply Egg Wash and Bake: Remove pretzels with a slotted spoon and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Brush each pretzel generously with beaten egg to achieve a shiny golden crust, and sprinkle with coarse salt for flavor.
- Bake: Bake the pretzels in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until they turn a deep golden brown and the cheese inside is melted.
- Serve: Remove from oven and let cool slightly. Serve warm to enjoy the gooey, cheesy center and perfectly baked crust.
Notes
- Use room temperature ingredients for best yeast activation and dough rise.
- For extra flavor, try mixing different cheeses or adding herbs like rosemary or garlic inside the filling.
- If you want a crispier crust, you can bake pretzels a little longer but watch carefully to avoid burning.
- These pretzels are best enjoyed the same day but can be reheated in the oven to regain freshness.
