SOFT PRETZEL DIP IDEAS RECIPES

Steps:

• Combine warm water, sugar, and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer and sprinkle yeast on top. Let sit until mixture begins to foam, about 5 minutes. Add flour and butter. Mix on low using the dough hook attachment. Increase speed slightly and knead until dough is smooth and pulls away from the sides of the bowl, 4 to 5 minutes.
• Grease a large bowl with cooking spray. Shape dough into a ball and place in the bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let sit in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
• Transfer the dough to a lightly greased work surface and cut into 8 equal pieces.
• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (232 degrees C). Line 2 sheet pans with parchment paper and spray with cooking spray. Bring water to a boil in a large pot for the baking soda bath.
• Roll each piece of dough into thin rope about 18 to 20 inches long and 1-inch thick. Form into a U shape. Cross the ends over each other toward the center of the U, twist again, and press into the U. Place pretzels on the prepared sheet pans.
• Pour baking soda into the boiling water. Boil pretzels, one at a time, for 30 seconds each. Return them to the parchment paper using a wide slotted spoon. Mix egg with a splash of water and brush onto the pretzels; sprinkle with salt.
• Bake in the preheated oven, rotating pans halfway through, until golden brown, 12 to 14 minutes. Transfer pans to wire cooling racks. Brush pretzels with multiple layers of melted butter while still hot.
• Melt American cheese and milk together in a bowl set over a pot of simmering water.
• Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, cumin, and salt; cook until fragrant and soft, 3 or 4 minutes. Mix onion mixture into the melted cheese, along with diced tomatoes and green chiles. Stir in more milk if queso seems too thick. Serve dip with pretzels for dipping.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and spray with cooking spray. Make the pretzels: Quarter each biscuit, then roll each piece into a ball. Using a knife, carve an X into each ball. In a medium saucepan, combine water and baking soda. Bring to boil then reduce to a simmer. Add balls and cook for 30 seconds. (The dough will float to top.) Remove with a slotted spoon and transfer to baking sheet, making sure the pretzels aren't touching. (Don't worry if the dough looks messy here! They'll completely transform in the oven.) Brush beaten egg over each pretzel, then sprinkle with coarse salt.  Bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until golden brown.  Meanwhile, make cheese sauce: Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute. Stir in milk and bring to a simmer. When milk begins to thicken, stir in cheese, whisking constantly until sauce is smooth. Season to taste with salt, pepper, and cayenne. Serve with the pretzels.