Making Soft Pretzels With Spicy Cheese Dip has been our welcome to fall for the past 15 years. We discovered this wonderful snack/appetizer recipe in the September/October 2000 issue of Cuisine Magazine and this delicious chewy bread has been a tradition ever since.
This year we started a little earlier because our oldest son decided he’d prefer Soft Pretzels with Spicy Cheese Dip for his birthday instead of the usual ice cream and cake. We are always more than happy to comply! And what was his verdict on the taste of his birthday choice?
Awesome!!!!
Usually, when we make these pretzels we’re like a mini-factory. We just keep producing and producing, then freezing and freezing. Before these snowbirds head south to escape the dreary months of January, February and March in Indiana, we make sure each family has 3 dozen soft pretzels with spicy cheese dip.
Now that is just the snack food.
It doesn’t include how many batches of pitas and baguettes we make to distribute among them. This is the reason we buy 50 pounds of high-gluten flour and 50 pounds of all-purpose flour about twice a year.
Yes! That’s a lot of flour but we enjoy baking and seeing the big smiles on the grandkids’ and kids’ faces when they see us lugging the multi-bags of bread to their door makes it all worthwhile.
There is something so homey about bread baking, don’t you think? The whole house is filled with a wonderfully pleasing aroma no perfume could ever duplicate.
Bread is the epitome of comfort food!
The aroma of baking bread always reminds me of the times when I would open the back door to our first house and the smell of just-baked bread would greet me. Mamma would have bread cooling on top of the counter and pots and pans covered the top of the stove.
My papà would walk in and a humongous smile would cover his face. He loved seeing those pots and pans because that meant mamma had been cooking. He loved anything that mamma made. In fact, when they initially made their plans to come to American, they thought about opening a restaurant. My papà couldn’t boil water. Who do you think would have done all of the cooking??? Mamma wouldn’t have cared!
1. Soft Pretzel Ingredients, 2. Pat dough out, 3. Form 2 loaves, 4. Cut each loaf into 8 pieces, 5. Roll each piece into a long rope and make a “U” put one end over the other, 6. Twist the ends once, 7. Boil the formed pretzel top side down first, 8. Flip pretzel and boil bottom side, 9. Brush with milk and sprinkle with pretzel salt.
That dream never came to fruition but that didn’t stop mamma from cooking and baking as much as she could. She had such a natural ability. She didn’t need recipes — she threw a little of this and a little of that together and the dish turned out scrumptious!
They were both happy that I’d inherited the love of cooking and baking. But do you know what is really incredible? It’s that I married someone who shares that same passion and love for cooking and baking. We are both so comfortable working together in the kitchen. Although my Honey is better at some things than I am — uhmmm I’ll have to ponder a few minutes on what — but I’ll think of something. 🙂
The recipe for making the soft pretzels is not difficult. There a few steps but once you get the hang of it it comes together easily.
Putting the dough together
A good pretzel starts out with a process that’s like making bread dough. One of the secrets of these soft pretzels is the rye flour which gives the pretzels flecks of color and an earthy flavor.
The rising step is very important:
- gives the pretzels their texture.
- needs the time to relax and be pliable so it will stretch out into a long pliable rope, then twist and form into pretzel shape.
The actual pretzel rope doesn’t just do a crossover, you have to do a twist then bring down the ends of the rope and pinch them to the lower semi-circle.
Boiling the soft pretzels
- soft pretzels are boiled just like bagels.
- boiling sets the pretzels’ shape and it gives them their distinctive chewy flavor.
- baking soda in the boiling water which helps in the browning of the pretzels.
It’s all about the acid in bread dough etc., etc. Including the all scientific explanation would be TMI. It’s just important to know that the baking soda helps in the color.
The oven needs a steam pan. The reason it’s needed is that it keeps the dough soft so it will rise and not form a crust too fast.
How to store soft pretzels
Pretzels are always best eaten hot! Oh yes, and better to dunk them in the spicy, creamy cheese dip. To be honest, these soft pretzels are delicious plain.
To enjoy them later:
- cool them completely.
- freeze them in an airtight plastic bag.
- reheat the oven to 350° F.
- bake for 10 minutes on a baking sheet.
They’ll taste as good as when you first made them. If you store them at room temperature the coarse salt that’s sprinkled on top will draw out moisture and leave the soft pretzels soggy.
This is a wonderful family project. You can easily teach the kids to roll and twist the pretzel to form the shape. And as a bonus, I’ve included our family’s favorite dunking cheese dip that is made with Velveeta cheese. This you can make as spicy or as mild as you like.
Divertitevi! {Have fun!}
Un caro saluto e alla prossima.
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Soft Pretzels with Spicy Cheese Sauce
These pretzels are exactly as what you’d purchase at your favorite pretzel stand. They are easy to make and keep on hand. Make several batches, they freeze beautifully.
Soft Pretzels
Ingredients
- 2 cups warm water 115 F
- 1 teaspoon molasses
- 2 1/4 teaspoon instant yeast
- 2 Tablespoons rye flour
- 1 Tablespoon kosher salt
- 4-5 cups all-purpose flour -- measure 4 1/2 cups in bowl and reserve 1/2 cup
For boiling
- 10 cups water
- 3 Tablespoons baking soda
- Brush pretzels with: milk
- Sprinkle with coarse salt pretzel salt
Instructions
- In large mixing bowl add the molasses into the water, then add the yeast.
- In another bowl add the 4 1/2 cups flour, rye flour, salt and whisk together then add this to the liquid ingredients mixing on low with the dough hook attachment. Knead the dough until smooth, adding flour from the additional 1/2 cup, as needed. This will take about 5-6 minutes.
- Lightly grease large bowl with vegetable spray and place the dough in the bowl, turning once to coat the dough with the spray. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. (This depends on the warmth of your kitchen.
- Punch down the dough and divide in half, then each half into 8 pieces.You will have 16 pieces.
- Roll each piece into a long rope any where from 20" to 24". Keep your work area tacky so that you can roll out the dough. Too much flour makes the rope just slide around.
- Take the rope and shape it into a letter "U". Take one end and put it over the other, then twist the end once. Bring the twisted ends down and pinch them to seal on to the bottom loop.
- Place the formed pretzels on two parchment lined baking sheets. { We spray the parchment paper with vegetable spray, it makes the pretzels easier to get on and off} Cover and let rise for 15 minutes, or until slightly poofy. While pretzels rise, preheat oven to 450 F. Put a steam pan in the lower rack of the oven for ice (it will create the steam).
- In a deep 12" pan bring the 10 cups of water to a boil; stir in 3 Tablespoons baking soda. Add three pretzels to the pan top side down first and boil until they puff slightly and rise to the top, about 30 seconds. Flip pretzels and boil 30 seconds more. Use a flat slotted spatula or spider and transfer pretzels back to the baking sheet. Repeat with remaining pretzels.
- Brush pretzels with milk and sprinkle lightly with coarse salt. The milk helps the salt stick to the top and also makes the pretzels look glossy when baked.
- Bake pretzels, one sheet at a time, on the middle rack of the oven above the steam pan. Just before baking, dump ice cubes into the steam pan.
- Bake pretzels 20 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from baking sheet, cool slightly on a rack. Add more ice to the steam pan and bake second batch. Pretzels taste best when warm.
- To freeze: Let pretzels cool completely then freeze in a plastic bag. Reheat in a 350 F preheated oven for 10 minutes. They will taste as good as freshly baked.
Notes
- Adapted from Cuisine Magazine recipe Sept/Oct 2000 issue.
Nutrition
Spicy Cheese Dip - All Our Way
Ingredients
- 3 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 1 pound Velveeta cheese cut into cubes
- 1/4 cup diced pickled jalapeños
Instructions
- In a deep sauce pan over medium heat melt the butter then add the flour. Stir constantly with a wooden spoon until it bubbles and start to take on a tinge of light tan. Stir in the garlic and paprika. Continue cooking and stirring for another 2 to 3 minutes. What you are making is basically a Béchamel Sauce. Slowly add in the milk and continue to stir and cook until it starts to thicken and the sauce comes to a simmer.
- Lower the heat and add the Velveeta cubes. Continue to stir until the cubes are melted and it forms a thick sauce. Add the diced jalapeños and stir until combined.
- Once the sauce is cool, store in refrigerator.
Notes
- Before serving the dip briefly heat whatever portion you want in the microwave.
Nutrition
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Donna says
Oh my gosh I wish my mum would send home all these lovely baked goods with me when I come to visit!! These sound so good, there is nothing better than a homemade pretzel, can’t wait to try your version!
Amanda says
There’s nothing like homemade soft pretzels, served hot. These are gorgeous! My friends would devour these on game day, especially with that spicy cheese dip!
Karyl | Karyl's Kulinary Krusade says
I’ve never tried to make pretzels before, but they look really easy. I’m loving your spicy cheese dip, because the stuff you get at the concession stands or shops are never any good. Yours looks amazing, and I definitely need to try it
Vicky @ Avocado Pesto says
Love that your son chose pretzels over cake!! I would choose these soft pretzels over cake as well ! I’ve never made my own soft pretzels at home but I love thme so need to finally give them a shot!
Shannon says
I am so amazed at how much baking you do! That sounds amazing and how lucky your family is to get to enjoy all those amazing baked goods including these pretzels!
Marisa Franca says
Hi, Shannon! We do like to bake but better yet is look on our kids and grandkids faces when we give them most of what we bake. Happy Sunday!!
Kathryn @ FoodieGirlChicago says
These would make such a great game day appetizer and I love that you added a little kick to the cheese sauce!
Marisa Franca says
Thank you, Kathryn! We do love these appetizers/snacks. We really enjoy making them for the grandsons.
Ben Myhre says
I have yet to make pretzels and it is on my list. Maybe this post will jumpstart my action.
Marisa Franca says
Hi, Ben!! I should post a warning with the recipe and cheese — once you make it you’ll have family and friends clamoring for you to make LOTS more. 😉 Let me know how you like the recipe.
Lois. O says
I wish I could buy flour in bulk like you do. This is such a great recipe, my family really enjoys soft pretzels, so if I make this for them it will be such a treat. I have been looking for a good excuse to buy the huge blocks of velveeta cheese from my grocery store, now I have the perfect reason to get it. I think i might even use this cheese sauce recipe on my fries… hope I am not breaking any rules…lol!
Marisa Franca says
Hello, Lois! You and you’ll family will love the recipe and cheese sauce. And there are no steadfast rules to the cheese. You may even eat it with a spoon if you wish!! 🤣 Our children have been known to do it.
Lois. O says
Its like you what I plan to do already, I have a small jar and a cute little spoon that will make it so easy to eat this cheese sauce like yogurt… looking forward to it!
Marisa Franca says
It is so good! And Lois, we even put it on baked potatoes, dunk French fries in it, et. The possibilities are endless!
Veena Azmanov says
You are making me crave for pretzels. I have no made pretzels in years, worth yet I have not eaten pretzels in years. We use to eat if all the time in the US – here there arent’ many good bakers who make it so…. well, your recipe makes me wanna go back to making pretzels. Definitely saving this for later. YUM!
Marisa Franca says
My only warning is, Veena, that once you start to make pretzels the family will demand that you keep doing it. 🙂
Ashima says
Homemade Pretzels!!! ooohhhhh… I can just imagine how wonderful your kitchen and home must be smelling!
Your post brought back memories of the first time I had a pretzel, almost 13 years ago on my first US trip. I saw people holding this huge bread like thing and snacking on it in a mall and when I crossed the kiosk, I just had to try it 🙂
Never tried homemade pretzel, but you make me feel like getting my hands on trying to do it 🙂 and the cheese dip sound delicious too! Though I don’t know about finding velveeta in Bucharest.
Thanks for sharing!
Marisa Franca says
Hi, Ashima! Well, now you can make the bread at home. It’s not hard at all. Just a few steps and you have delicious pretzels for yourself!!
Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy says
You know every time I go to the farmer’s market, there is a vendor that sells homemade pretzels. I ALWAY buy them. Now after reading this post…this is a “for sure” kitchen experiment. I love homemade bread….and these will be fantastic.
Marisa Franca says
Hi, Gloria! They are a weakness of ours. That’s why we hurry and give them to our kids. YUM!!
Arlene Mobley says
I haven’t made homemade pretzels in years! We love spicy cheese sauce with pizza and I bet it is even better with these homemade pretzels.
Marisa Franca says
Hi, Arlene! Before we leave for Florida in the winter — we make several batches for each family. We’re like an assembly line. The pretzels do not last the 3 month we’re gone. 🙂
Denise Wright says
Do you think rye flour can go bad? I have some and would love to try this but I’m not much of a baker and this will be a challenge for me. 😉 They look really good though and I know my family would love them.
Marisa Franca says
I would try one batch and see. We’ve had some flour for a while and used it. There isn’t that much rye flour in it. Give it a go!!
Carina Simeon says
Velveeta! ? ! – I think I might have come across “Velveta” in Germany – processed easy to melt cheese in blocks or slices? Am I right? If not, I will still try this one out with our sliced prepacked processed cheese here in South India and see what comes out of this 🙂 Wish me luck!
Love your block and as of today – I follow you. Grazie e ciao, Carina
Marisa Franca says
Ciao Carina!! I am so happy to have you follow! And good luck on finding Velveeta — it does come under other names — that’s just the name brand. Abbracci!
Simply Suzannes at Home says
Marisa!!
You buy flour the same way that I do, LOL! . . . in huge quantities!!
I have my flour shipped (or brought back by travelers) from Lehi Roller Mills in Utah. It’s my favorite baking and cooking flour in the whole world!!
So let’s talk pretzels . . .
You amaze me . . . Is there anything you can’t bake or cook? I can only imagine the happiness and excitement you bring to your family and family gatherings :0)
My Littles tried soft pretzels for the first time this year. It’s a favorite of their dad’s . . . and now a favorite of theirs too. I’ve never thought of making my own, but you make it look do-able. I think it would be fun to make some with my Littles on a Saturday afternoon when we have time to play with the dough :0)
You’ve inspired me!
Thanks so much for sharing with us!
I hope you’re having a great start to your week!
Big hugs,
Suzanne
Thistle says
Yummm!! If only the pretzels at the concession stands looked like that! 🙂
Marisa Franca says
Thank you!! They are good — perfect for football and basketball season. 🙂
Reid says
not bad for baseball season either
Marisa Franca says
Or basketball 🙂 Golf would be good too as well also soccer and hockey!! 🙂
Nagi@RecipeTinEats says
I can’t wait to get to the US so I can try Velveeta! We don’t have it here in Australia. As for the pretzels? Yes please! I love homemade pretzels!!! 🙂
Marisa Franca says
I think Velveeta is what Spam is in Hawaii. I can’t really extol that it isn’t processed, but my gosh it makes such darn good sauces!!
Chiara says
sei bravissima Marisa Franca, hanno un aspetto delizioso ! Buon weekend, un abbraccio !
Marisa Franca says
Grazie Chiara! Mi piacce il tuo blog è mi piacce tutto Italiano e tutto da Trieste. Un forte abbraccio.
Ciao Chow Linda says
Your family is lucky to have you bake all those goodies for them. 50 lbs of flour twice a year? wow, you are ambitious. You have me wanting to make pretzels now – something I’ve never done. But I’ll leave the 50 lbs of flour for you.
Diane P. says
Your dough looks amazing! This will be another recipe to try when the fall weather gets here. This will be #2 to try—your focaccia Pugliese will be #1 on my list! Thanks for another great post. Your recipes are always delicious, and your tutorials are very thorough.
Jovina Coughlin says
What a delicious looking snack – especially perfect for football watching. No wonder your son requested this snack for his birthday.
Definitely a recipe to make in a big batch and freeze for future snacking.