Soft Baked Cheesy Pretzels (Printable Version)

Soft baked pretzels wrapped around hot dogs and cheese offer a warm, flavorful snack for any occasion.

# Everything You’ll Need:

→ Dough

01 - 1 1/2 cups warm water (110°F)
02 - 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
03 - 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
04 - 4 cups all-purpose flour
05 - 1 teaspoon salt

→ Boiling solution

06 - 10 cups water
07 - 2/3 cup baking soda

→ Assembly

08 - 8 hot dogs
09 - 8 slices cheddar cheese
10 - 1 large egg, beaten
11 - Coarse salt, for sprinkling

→ Serving

12 - Mustard or preferred dipping sauce (optional)

# Steps to Cook:

01 - Combine warm water, active dry yeast, and granulated sugar in a bowl. Stir gently and let rest for 5 minutes until foamy.
02 - In a large bowl, mix all-purpose flour and salt. Add yeast mixture and stir until dough forms.
03 - Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface. Knead for 5 to 7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
04 - Place dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm area until doubled, about 1 hour.
05 - Preheat oven to 450°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. In a large pot, bring 10 cups of water to a boil and dissolve baking soda.
06 - Punch down risen dough and divide into 8 equal portions. Roll each into a rope to wrap around a hot dog and cheese slice. Wrap a slice of cheddar cheese around each hot dog, then enclose with dough, sealing edges tightly.
07 - Using a slotted spoon, immerse each wrapped pretzel dog in the boiling soda solution for 30 seconds. Remove and place on prepared baking sheets.
08 - Brush each pretzel dog with beaten egg and sprinkle with coarse salt.
09 - Bake in the preheated oven for 12–15 minutes until golden brown.
10 - Allow to cool slightly before serving with mustard or preferred dipping sauce.

# Extra Suggestions:

01 - Serve warm for optimal texture and flavor. Customize by using different cheese varieties or dipping sauces.