Giant Bavarian Pretzel Recipe
Giant warm Bavarian pretzel with our house made queso Blanco dipping sauce.
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Ingredients
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Pretzel Dough
Queso Blanco Dipping Sauce
Method
Pretzel Dough Preparation
- 1
Activate Yeast
In a small bowl, combine warm water (1.5 cups) and sugar (1 tbsp). Sprinkle the active dry yeast (1 tbsp) over the top. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until frothy.
- 2
Mix Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine all-purpose flour (4 cups) and salt (1 tbsp). Once the yeast mixture is frothy, pour it into the flour mixture along with melted unsalted butter (4 tbsp).
- 3
Knead the Dough
Mix until a dough forms, then knead on a floured surface for about 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- 4
Let the Dough Rise
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
Shaping and Baking Pretzel
- 5
Preheat Oven
Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- 6
Shape the Pretzel
Once the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into two equal pieces. Roll each piece into a long rope (about 24 inches) and shape it into a pretzel.
- 7
Prepare Baking Soda Bath
In a large pot, bring 10 cups of water to a boil and add baking soda (0.5 cups) carefully. Boil each pretzel for about 30 seconds on each side, then remove and place on the baking sheet.
- 8
Top with Sea Salt
Sprinkle coarse sea salt (1 tbsp) over the pretzels before baking.
- 9
Bake
Bake in the preheated oven for about 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown.
Queso Blanco Dipping Sauce Preparation
- 10
Make Roux
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt unsalted butter (2 tbsp). Once melted, whisk in all-purpose flour (2 tbsp) and cook for about 1 minute.
- 11
Add Milk
Slowly whisk in whole milk (1 cup) until combined and let it simmer until thickened, about 2-3 minutes.
- 12
Incorporate Cheeses
Reduce heat to low and stir in Monterey Jack cheese (2 cups) and cream cheese (4 oz) until melted and smooth.
- 13
Season
If desired, add diced jalapeños (2 tbsp) and season with salt and black pepper to taste. Stir until well combined.