Rosemary Mozzarella Soft Pretzels

Ingredients

• 4 cup flour (all-purpose)
• 1.25 cup water (warm)
• 1 tbsp yeast (active dry or instant)
• 5 tbsp butter (melted)
• 0.25 cup brown sugar
• 2 tbsp rosemary (chopped)
• 1 tsp salt (for dough)
• 8 oz mozzarella cheese (shredded or sticks for stuffing)
• 0.5 cup baking soda (for boiling water bath)
• 1 egg yolk (for egg wash)
• coarse salt (for sprinkling)
• 2 tbsp garlic butter (for finishing)
• parsley (for garnish)
• 2 tbsp Parmesan cheese (freshly grated for garnish)

Steps

1. 1

   In a large bowl, mix the warm water, brown sugar, and yeast. Let the mixture sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes foamy.

2. 2

   Add the flour, salt, chopped rosemary, and melted butter to the yeast mixture. Mix until a dough forms.

3. 3

   Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 4-5 minutes until it is smooth and elastic.

4. 4

   Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm spot until it has doubled in size, approximately 1 hour.

5. 5

   Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Prepare a large pot of water and bring it to a boil.

6. 6

   Punch down the risen dough and divide it into 8 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a rope about 12 inches long.

7. 7

   Flatten each rope slightly, place mozzarella cheese along the center, and pinch the dough to seal the cheese inside. Twist the stuffed ropes into a traditional pretzel shape.

8. 8

   Carefully add baking soda to the boiling water. Dip each pretzel into the boiling water for 30 seconds.

9. 9

   Remove the pretzels from the water using a slotted spoon and place them onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.

10. 10

    Brush the tops of the pretzels with egg yolk and sprinkle with coarse salt.

11. 11

    Bake in the preheated oven for 12-14 minutes, or until the pretzels are deep golden brown.

12. 12

    Immediately after baking, brush the hot pretzels with garlic butter. Garnish with chopped parsley and freshly grated Parmesan cheese before serving.

Notes

If you don't have brown sugar, white sugar can be used as a substitute. For the cheese stuffing, low-moisture mozzarella works best to prevent leaking.

Nutrition per serving

• appetizer
• snack
• baking
• vegetarian
• stuffed pretzels
• rosemary
• mozzarella