Receta Cheesy Pretzel Bites
Cheesy Pretzel Bites
Another copycat of a Schwan's favorite! Much cheaper and tastier.
I admit. I'm a Schwan's freak. Love their food.
However, their food is pricy and has gotten more expensive lately as well as them now charging a "surcharge" for their delivery costs. Unfortunately, it's gotten too rich for my blood.
Always loved their cheese-filled pretzel nuggets, so I decided I'd have a crack at trying to duplicate them. I was quite surprised since they turned out GREAT and were relatively simple to make.
I emphasize "relatively" because while they take simple and every-day ingredients and mix up easily, the dough is STICKY and a bit hard to work with. The dough is just a standard "soft-pretzel dough," and where it may be easier to handle to make the ropes for actual pretzels, it's a little more daunting to make a ball or log and seal the dough around the cheese.
They don't have to be gorgeous. You're going for taste here so that rustic look is OK. Anyway, they won't last long. TRUST ME!!!
- Just a thought: Cream cheese could probably be substituted for the Velveeta here~~just thought of this :)
- Cheesy Pretzel Bites
- 2 1/2 cups flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 cup warm water
- 2 1/4 tsp yeast
- 36 - 1/4-inch cubes of Velveeta
- Baking Soda Wash
- 1/2 tbs baking soda
- 1/2 cup very hot water
In a heavy stand mixer, place all ingredients, except for Velveeta, and mix with paddle attachement until well blended. Change to dough hook and knead for 5 minutes, or until elastic and dough becomes less sticky. You may have to add a bit more flour to achieve this texture. If you don't have a mixer with a dough hook, mix all ingredients together and turn out on a floured surface and knead for 5 minutes.
Cover dough and let rest for 30 minutes. Punch down dough.
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment or grease. Mix the baking soda & hot water. Set aside.
Break of 36 equal portions of the dough and slightly flatten. Put a cube of Velveeta in the center and seal well, forming into a ball. When all balls are formed, roll in the baking soda wash and place on prepared baking sheet.
Bake at 450 degrees for 10-15 minutes or until balls start to turn golden brown. You can brush with a bit of melted butter during the last 5 minutes of baking if you wish.
Makes 9 servings (4 each).
Cheesy Pretzel BitesCheesy Pretzel Bites