FILLED PRETZEL 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:

• Heat oven to 400°F. In small bowl, mix Filling ingredients; set aside. Line large cookie sheet with cooking parchment paper. Unroll dough onto lightly floured surface; roll into 14x12-inch rectangle. Using pizza cutter, cut dough lengthwise into 4 strips.
• Spoon about 1/4 cup of the filling onto long edge of each dough strip. Stretch dough over filling; brush edges with water, and pinch to seal. Pick up ends of filled dough, and stretch to make 24-inch rope.
• To make pretzel shape, form each rope into U shape. Twist ends twice. Press down where dough overlaps in an "X" to hold shape. Pick up ends and fold over so they rest over bottom of U shape.
• In medium microwavable bowl, microwave 2 cups water uncovered on High about 2 minutes or until hot. Add baking soda; stir until dissolved. Dip each pretzel, 1 at a time, into water mixture. Immediately remove from water with large pancake turner; let stand about 5 minutes. In small bowl, beat egg and 1 tablespoon water with whisk; brush pretzels with egg mixture.
• Place pretzels on cookie sheet; sprinkle with salt. Bake 11 to 15 minutes or until tops of pretzels are dark golden brown. Serve with salsa.