It’s like a Pretzel Dog you get at the mall, but instead of wrapping the dough around a hot dog I used mozzarella cheese. Gooey, pretzel-y happiness. Perfect for dipping in honey-mustard sauce!
So this morning I turned around to see Truman staring down at a large puddle of milk he’d just spilled, a plastic mug dangling from his finger by the handle. Then I looked up and saw milk dribbled all down the side of the cupboards, beneath where he had clearly tried to place his full mug back on the counter, which is just out of reach for him.
Did I mention we have carpet in our kitchen?
Sandi (my sis-in-law) was there, and she told me a story from years ago about her sister and The Milk Incident. They were all sitting at family dinner when she went to the fridge to get milk. It was on the top shelf and the cap wasn’t on, and it dumped all over her head. Like all of it. GLUG. GLUG. GLUG.
And once again. Carpet in their kitchen. 70s, I’m so glad you’re over.
No use crying over spilled milk right? The only people who say that are the people who have not spilled an entire bottle of breastmilk though. Truth.
One of the most popular recipes on my blog are these Homemade Pretzel Dogs. They are SO GOOD.
A few weeks ago Eric and I ordered some Pizza Hut, they have this new pretzel stuffed crust we wanted to try. I didn’t even eat all of the pizza part. I just kept eating the crust. Because it was pretzel-y. And STUFFED WITH CHEESE. Hello.
I decided that the pizza part was totally unnecessary, but that I needed that Pretzel Stuffed Crust stat. So I swapped out the hot dogs in my Pretzel Dog recipe for mozzarella sticks. Guys. AMAZING.  Make these for your next party! These freeze well. I froze some and reheated them in the microwave for 1-2 minutes. Don’t skip the honey-mustard sauce!
Do you guys give up? Or are you thirsty for more?
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Mozzarella-Stuffed Soft Pretzels
Ingredients
For the pretzels:
- 1 & 1/2 cups warm water, 110 to 115 degrees F
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 4 & 1/2 cups bread flour, *
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted (or salted butter, but decrease the 2 teaspoons of salt by a bit)
- 10 cups water
- 2/3 cup baking soda
- 16-18 mozzarella cheese sticks, string cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- coarse sea salt , or kosher salt for sprinkling
For the honey-mustard sauce:
- 1/3 cup yellow mustard
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
Instructions
- Combine the water, sugar and yeast in the bowl of a stand mixer. Let sit for 5 minutes or until the mixture begins to foam.
- Add the salt, flour, and butter. Combine with a spoon or the paddle until it start to come together, then switch to the dough hook. Mix with the dough hook on low speed until well combined.
- Change to medium speed and knead until the dough is smooth and pulls away from the side of the bowl, about 5 minutes. You may need to add a bit more flour, but be aware that this is a pretty soft dough. You should be able to touch it without it being impossible to get off your fingers, though.
- Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled bowl. Cover and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until the dough has doubled in size. I like to put mine in an oven that has been turned to 170 (warm) for about a minute, then turned off.
- Preheat the oven to 450 (make sure you take out the dough first if that's where it's rising!)
- Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper or a silpat.
- In a large pot, bring the 10 cups of water and the baking soda to a boil. Turn it down to medium or medium low, so that the water remains vey hot but isn't bubbling a ton.
- Meanwhile, knead down the dough, turn it out onto a slightly floured work surface, and divide into 16 equal pieces.
- Use your hands to roll out each piece of dough into a rope that's about 16-18-inches long.
- Starting at one end, wrap the dough around the string cheese, pinching each end together so that it's sealed. Place onto the pan and repeat with the remaining dough and cheese.
- Place the pretzels into the hot water two at a time and boil for 30 seconds. Remove them from the water using a large flat slotted spatula. Return the boiled pretzel dogs to the pan.
- Bake at 450 for 8-10 minutes, or until the tops are very brown.
- Brush immediately with melted 2 tablespoons of butter, then sprinkle right away with salt. Eat hot with marinara, honey-mustard, or just by itself!
For the Honey-Mustard Sauce
- Whisk together the mustard, honey, and mayonnaise in a small bowl. Adjust ratios to taste.
Notes
Nutrition
Here’s how I wrapped them.
Butter for president. Butter for mayor.
You might like these recipes too!
The original Homemade Pretzel Dogs. You HAVE to try these!
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More pretzel-y goodness from friends!
Pesto-Parmesan Stuffed Soft Pretzels from A Kitchen Addiction
Pretzel Bites with Four Distinct Dipping Sauces from Snixy Kitchen << check out these fun sauces!
Soft Pretzel Rolls from Mel’s Kitchen Cafe
I saw these pretzels and I was like whoa, how come weren’t these in my life yesterday? These soft chewy pretzels filled with mozzarella have me swooning hard!
What a great combination! Spilled milk is especially bad because if you clean up every bit, it stinks.
The house, I used to rent when I was in college, had carpet everywhere, in the kitchen and in the bathroom! Why, oh why??
But these pretzel rolls are simply divine! It looks so soft and comforting! (No, I’m not talking about a blanket!) Have to go eat lunch now.
I just died and went to pretzel heaven! That gooey cheese though. I can’t contain myself!
These are a wonderful idea. I’ve definitely got to hang on to this recipe and make it for my niece and nephew someday soon! Thank you!
Wait, you have CARPET in your KITCHEN?!! What the? Milk and carpet don’t like each other, lol! I want to stuff my face with these cheese stuffed pretzels! They look crazy delish, pinned!
Ugh, it is the worst Jen! I’m from the past. We rent, so no option to change really. But look on the bright side, I never have to sweep! Vacuuming is where it’s at… :)
Oh my gosh! I’ll take four of these and worry about paying the consequences tomorrow. Looks outrageously good!
I could never live with carpet in my kitchen! Between the 3 year old’s mishaps and the baby puke, it just would never last!
Also, I have no self control around soft pretzels! That stretchy cheese is killing me. Love!
Oh yea, these are happening asap!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I looked at these this morning on my phone and woke up STARVING for pretzels. In the past few years, never have I wanted gluten more than right now. These are gorgeous, Karen. and I love how you twisted them around the mozzarella. Droooool.
Oh my!! I want to say that I’ll make these, but I want one of these so badly right now that I can’t even fathom waiting for these to bake! Please just come make these for me, Karen! ahh SO incredibly yummy looking!! :)
Dude. I am practically horrified that you have carpet in your kitchen. Attention home builders: that was never, and still isn’t, ever a good idea. EVER. In other news, these stuffed pretzels have me a little light headed. I cannot even stand how much I want one. Solution to both problems? Move near me. There’s a super cute house adjacent to mine that’s for sale!
If I ever feel the need to be adored by my children, I will make these. :)
Paul will love me forever if I made these! He could go either way right now. ;)
Welp. Fat pants here I come. HOLY cheese, Karen these pretzels are carb insanity! I would not be able to control myself around all that gooey cheese. Oh, and pizza crust FTW! Who needs the rest of the pizza?!