for some reason, the thought of making pretzels from scratched scared me! i mean, you have to boil them in water THEN bake them?! but this all changed once i had the asiago pretzel from starbucks. i knew i had to recreate this level of deliciousness into something even better. so i did my research until i found the perfect recipe [adapted from just a taste], and guess what! they turned out pretty damn perfect. so here it is, i highly suggest you give it a shot*.
* i mixed the asiago cheese into the batter, however sprinkling it on top instead of the coarse salt prior to baking works too.
ASIAGO PRETZEL TWIST (makes 8-10 twist)
- 1 1/2 cups warm water
- 1 tablespoon raw sugar
- 1 teaspoons coarse salt
- 1 package active dry yeast
- 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 4 tablespoons butter, melted
- 3/4 cup grated asiago cheese
- 1/2 cup baking soda (for boiling pretzels)
- 1 egg yolk & 1 tablespoon water (for egg wash)
- in the stand mixer bowl, mix warm water, raw sugar, and salt. sprinkle the yeast on top (but do not stir in) and let it sit for 5 minutes. if it does not begin to foam, check the expiration date on your yeast!
- with the dough attachment on your mixer, add one cup of flour and all the butter to the bowl. mix until combined.
- add grated cheese and remaining flour and mix/knead until the dough becomes smooth and pulls away from the bowl.
- form into a ball, and let it sit in the mixing bowl covered for an hour (or until it has doubled in size).
- preheat the oven to 425ºF and line two sheets with parchment paper.
- in a separate dutch oven, mix 6 cups of boiling water with the baking soda.
- once the water begins to boil, roll your dough into your desired twist/pretzel shape and boil individually for 30 seconds.
- place each twist onto your baking tray and brush with egg wash and a sprinkle of coarse salt.
- bake until the pretzels become a golden brown, approximately 12-15 minutes.
