CREAM CHEESE FILLED PRETZELS RECIPES

Steps:

• In a large mixing bowl, dissolve the yeast, sugar and 1-1/2 cups warm water.
• Place flour and salt in food processor with metal blade and blend by pressing the pulse a couple of times, pour water mixture through feed tube while machine is running until smooth and elastic, about 40 seconds.
• The dough will leave the side of the bowl.
• If dough is too wet add more flour or if too dry add more water.
• Place in a greased bowl, and turn to coat the surface.
• Cover, and let rise for one hour.
• Combine 2 cups warm water and baking soda in an 8 inch square pan.
• After dough has risen, cut into 12 pieces.
• Roll each piece into a 3 foot rope, pencil thin.
• (if filling with cream cheese roll one 3 foot piece flat. Pipe on cheese leaving edges free (to seal back into a rope) Twist into a pretzel shape, and dip into the baking soda solution.
• Place on parchment covered cookie sheets, and let rise 15 to 20 minutes.
• Bake at 450 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes, or until golden brown.
• Brush with melted butter and sprinkle with coarse salt, or cinnamon sugar and chopped roasted almonds.

Steps:

• In large bowl, stir flour, yeast, salt and sugar with whisk. Add 1 cup warm water; stir to combine, slowly adding additional water as necessary to make dough easy to handle.
• Place dough on lightly floured surface. Knead 10 minutes or until dough is smooth and springy. Grease large bowl with oil. Place dough bowl, turning dough to grease all sides. Cover bowl loosely with plastic wrap sprayed with cooking spray; let rise in warm place about 30 minutes or until doubled in size. Dough is ready if indentation remains when touched.
• Meanwhile, in small bowl, stir together all of the filling ingredients.
• Heat oven to 425°F. Line 2 cookie sheets with cooking parchment paper. Gently push fist into dough to deflate. Place dough on lightly floured surface. Using floured rolling pin, roll to 16x12-inch rectangle. Using pizza cutter, cut dough crosswise into 8 (2- x 12-inch) strips. Spoon cheese mixture down center of each dough strip. Press dough over filling, pinching edges and ends to seal. Gently press or roll each rope to 15-inch length.
• To make pretzel shape, form each rope into U shape. Twist ends twice. Overlap twisted ends to form X shape; press together where dough touches. Pick ends up and place on rounded portion of U shape. Tuck one end under dough; place other end on top of dough.
• In medium microwavable bowl, microwave 2 cups water on High 2 minutes or until hot. Add baking soda; stir until dissolved. Dip each pretzel, one at a time, into water mixture. Immediately remove from water with large pancake turner; place on cooling rack. Let stand at room temperature, about 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in small bowl, stir egg and 1 tablespoon water with fork. Brush pretzels with egg mixture; sprinkle with sea salt. Carefully transfer to cookie sheet. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on cooling rack, about 10 minutes. Serve warm or cool completely.