Soft Pretzels Or Breadsticks With Swiss Cheese Dip Recipes

PERFECTLY CHEWY SOFT PRETZELS WITH CHEESE DIP

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients except for the butter in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook.
• Mix on medium-low speed for 10-12 minutes until a stiff, smooth dough forms. It will be quite firm - this is fine and is what gives lovely chewy pretzels. Don't freak out.
• Add the butter and mix for a further 5 minutes until it is completely incorporated and passes the window pane test.
• Shape the dough into a ball, and transfer to a lightly oiled bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and leave in a warm spot for 45 minutes to an hour, or until doubled in size. This initial rise can also be done in the fridge overnight.
• Turn the dough out onto a work surface (do not flour), and weigh the dough then divide into 12 equal sized balls. Shape each into a ball, then place on the bench under plastic wrap to rest. Keep covered until you are ready to use.
• Line three baking sheets with silpats / silicone baking mats, or parchment paper (see notes).
• Working with one piece of dough at a time, roll the dough into a long thin sausage, 30" (76cm) long. This will seem very thin but is necessary in order for the pretzels to be the right shape once risen. If you would like them a little thicker, roll the dough sausage a little shorter.
• Make the dough into a 'U' shape, then cross the two ends over twice to form a twist, then bring the ends down and press onto the rounded part of the pretzel (See video). Transfer to a lined baking sheet.
• Repeat the process with the remaining dough balls, until you have 12 pretzels. Space evenly amongst the baking sheets (you can get away with using two sheets but things get a bit squishy).
• Rise the pretzels, uncovered, at room temperature for 30 minutes, then transfer to the fridge for a further 10 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 475˚f / 245˚c. In a large, shallow pan (I used a frying pan / skillet), combine 1/4 cup baked baking soda and 6 cups of water. Heat until the solution is steaming, then turn off.
• Working with one pretzel at a time, carefully lift off the baking sheet, and place upside down in the solution. Soak for 10 seconds, then carefully flip over and soak for another. Remove using a slotted spatula or another flat utensil, and place onto the silicone mat lined baking sheet.
• Repeat with the remaining pretzels - if you are baking on three trays, do not dip the third tray of pretzels until just before you bake them.
• Egg wash the pretzels just before you bake them, and use a razor blade or sharp knife to score the rounded part of the pretzel (see photos). Sprinkle with pretzel salt.
• Bake two trays at once for 9-10 minutes, switching trays half way through, until the pretzels are golden brown. While the two trays are baking, dip the third tray and then repeat the egg washing and baking process.
• Allow to cool slightly on the trays, and then transfer to a cooling rack and allow to cool completely. Serve with cheese dip (recipe follows). Best eaten on the day that they are made - if you are planning on keeping some for more than one day, do not add the salt as it makes them soggy.
• In a medium pot, melt the butter, and then add the flour, whisking well to combine. Cook, for 1-2 minutes over medium heat, or until the mixture is bubbly and foaming slightly. Remove from the heat, and, whisking constantly, add the milk.
• Whisk well to combine, then return to the heat and cook for a further 4-5 minutes, whisking continuously, until the mixture has thickened. Season well with salt and pepper. Remove from the heat and add the American Cheese, the sharp cheddar, and the cream cheese, and mix well to incorporate, continuing to stir until the cheese is melted. Add the smoked paprika, cayenne pepper and wholegrain mustard and stir well.
• Transfer to a microwave safe dish and serve warm alongside the pretzels. As needed, rewarm in the microwave by zapping for 30 seconds at a time, stirring well between each interval, until warm and smooth. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.

SOFT PRETZELS WITH CHEESE SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast in a large bowl. Whisk to dissolve the yeast. Leave for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
• Add the flour, salt, and butter. Mix thoroughly until a dough forms. Knead on low using the dough hook attachment on your mixer, until the dough is smooth and pulls away from the side of the bowl, about 4 to 5 minutes. You can knead the dough by hand with a wooden spoon for 8 to 10 minutes until the dough is smooth.
• Place the dough in a greased bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and place in a warm place until the dough has doubled in size, about 45 minutes to 1 hour.
• While the dough is proofing, make the cheese sauce. Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Sprinkle the flour over the butter, stirring constantly, and cook for 1 minute. Wisk in the milk and cook until slightly thickened.
• Remove from heat and slowly stir in the cheese. Stir until smooth, add salt and pepper.
• Preheat the oven to 450°F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
• Turn the dough out onto a clean work surface and divide into 8 equal pieces. Roll out each piece of dough into a 24-inch rope. Make a U-shape with the rope, holding the ends of the rope, cross them over each other twice and press onto the bottom of the U in order to form the shape of a pretzel. Place onto the prepared baking sheets.
• Combine the water and baking soda in a large pot. Bring the mixture to a boil.
• Gently lower the pretzels into the boiling water, 2 at a time, for 10 seconds on each side.
• Place the boiled pretzels back on the baking sheet, brush the top of each pretzel with the egg wash and sprinkle with coarse salt.
• Bake until dark golden brown, about 12 to 14 minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack for at least 5 minutes before serving. Serve with the cheese sauce.

PRETZEL BITES WITH QUICK CHEDDAR DIP

Steps:

• Make Pretzel Dough:
• Stir together warm water and yeast in a large bowl and let stand until a creamy beige foam develops on the surface, about 10 minutes. (If mixture doesn't foam, start over with new yeast.)
• Meanwhile, in a smaller bowl, stir together flour, salt, and light brown sugar.
• Add flour mixture and butter to yeast mixture, and stir together first with a wooden spoon and then with your hands, until it forms a dough. On a lightly floured surface, knead dough until it is smooth and elastic, 8 to 10 minutes, dusting with more flour as needed if dough sticks to work surface.
• Transfer dough to a lightly oiled large bowl and turn over to coat with oil. Cover with a kitchen towel (not terry cloth) and let rise in a draft-free place at room temperature until doubled, 2 to 3 hours.
• Alternatively, after kneading, let dough rest at room temperature for 15 minutes, then transfer to oiled bowl as above, and let rise in the refrigerator overnight (12 hours or up to 2 days).
• Punch down dough and divide into quarters. Form each quarter into 4 balls. Roll each ball into a 12-inch-long rope. Cut each rope into six (2-inch) pieces, and transfer to wax paper-lined rimmed baking sheets.
• Bake Pretzels:
• Heat oven to 450°F with racks in upper and lower third. Well oil 2 large baking sheets (about 17- by 12- inches).
• In a 4- to 5-quart saucepan, bring water and baking soda to a boil (mixture will be foamy at first, but foam will dissipate). Add 12 pretzel bites and cook 30 seconds (they will rise to the surface almost immediately), then transfer with a slotted spoon to baking sheets. Quickly sprinkle pretzel bites lightly on both sides with pretzel salt before they dry (so salt sticks). Repeat with remaining pretzel bites, returning water to a boil between batches.
• Bake pretzel bites in oven, switching sheets between racks and rotating sheets halfway through baking, until deep chestnut brown, 8 to 10 minutes (watch closely toward end of baking; bites brown quickly in last few minutes). Immediately transfer pretzel bites to wire racks to cool.
• Make Cheddar Dip:
• Purée cheese with 6 tablespoons wine or water in a food processor fitted with knife blade, stopping and scraping down sides with a spatula occasionally, until mixture is creamy and smooth, about 2 minutes. Thin to desired consistency with additional wine or water, adding it 1 tablespoon at a time. Serve immediately, or chill, covered, and return to room temperature before serving.

SOFT PRETZELS OR BREADSTICKS WITH SWISS CHEESE DIP

Steps:

• On an unfloured surface, roll each breadstick into a 20 inch rope, and twist into a pretzel shape, or cut in half for a breadstick.
• Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets, and brush with egg white, and sprinkle with salt.
• Bake at 375 degrees for 10-13 minutes or until lightly browned, remove to a wire rack.
• For swiss cheese dip, melt butter for 1 minute.
• Blend in flour and whisk for 1 minute.
• Reduce`heat to low and slowly add half, and half, stirring until thickened.
• Add swiss cheese, and tobasco to taste, mix with a wooden spoon until cheese has melted.

PRETZELS WITH CHEESE DIP

Steps:

• In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add the butter, sugar, salt and 2 cups flour. Beat until smooth. Add enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 20 minutes. , Punch dough down. Divide into 12 equal pieces. On a lightly floured surface, roll each piece into a 15-in. long strip; twist into a pretzel shape. , In a large non-aluminum stockpot, bring water to a boil; add baking soda. Drop two pretzels into water; boil for 1 minute. Remove with a slotted spoon; drain. Place on a greased baking sheet; sprinkle with coarse salt. Repeat for each pretzel. , Bake at 475° for 10-12 minutes. Remove from pan to wire racks to cool., For dip, combine cheeses in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 2-3 minutes or until melted, stirring occasionally. Stir in milk. Serve pretzels with cheese dip and mustard.

SOFT JUMBO PRETZEL STICKS (SUPER EASY)

Steps:

• 1. Roll each piece of dough into a 5" rope. Place on a large prepared baking sheet. Cover with saran wrap sprayed with non-stick spray, place in a warm spot and let rise for about an hour.
• 2. Place 2 quarts of water in a large saucepan. Add baking soda and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium low. Gently place each stick in the soda water and simmer gently for 15 seconds per side.
• 3. Drain on a wire rack and return to prepared baking sheet. (I use parchment paper.) Score lightly every inch or so, if desired. Combine egg with 1 TB. water to make an egg wash. Brush each with egg wash and sprinkle with course salt.
• 4. Bake at 375 degrees for 5-10 minutes until golden brown.
• 5. SERVING SUGGESTIONS: I like mine with honey mustard or yellow mustard, but a melty cheese sauce is also delicious. On game day, I serve with my Wisconsin Beer Dip. (Recipe in comments section.) Also excellent served with Cheddar Potato Soup.

SWISS CHEESE DIP

Steps:

• preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Mix mayo, onion, swiss and chives(or green onion).
• Cut out center of bread bowl and put mixture in the cavity.
• Tear the bread that was cut from the center into bite size pieces, and do the same with the other loaf of bread.
• Wrap the stuffed bread bowl loosely with foil and put it into a baking pan.
• Bake for 30-45 minutes.
• I usually uncover the top of the bowl for the last 10 minutes or so in order for the cheese dip to brown.
• Place the finished dip on a serving platter and sprinkle the torn bread pieces around it.