Soft pretzels with cheese

Soft cheese pretzels – A delicious recipe for indulgent moments

Who doesn't love warm pretzels with a soft texture and savory taste? This classic dish, with deep roots in culinary tradition, brings joy to anyone's table, and today you will learn how to prepare them at home, step by step. This type of soft cheese pretzel is perfect for a snack, to be served alongside a warm drink, or even as an appetizer at a festive meal.

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 15 minutes
Total time: 45 minutes
Number of servings: 20 pretzels

Necessary ingredients

- 1.5 kg flour
- 5 eggs
- 200 ml lard (or Rama margarine)
- 750 g salty cheese (telemea or feta cheese works great)
- 4 tablespoons sour cream
- 2 cubes of fresh yeast
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 100 ml warm water (approximately)

Step 1: Preparing the ingredients

Before you start, make sure you have all the ingredients at room temperature. This will help activate the yeast properly and contribute to achieving a fluffy texture. Sifting the flour is essential as it aerates the ingredient and helps the pretzels become soft.

Step 2: Activating the yeast

Sift 1.5 kg of flour into a large bowl and make a well in the center. In a small bowl, mix the 2 cubes of yeast with 4 tablespoons of warm water. Let the mixture sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy. This is an indicator that the yeast is active and ready to work its magic.

Step 3: Mixing the ingredients

Add the eggs, 1 tablespoon of salt, melted lard (or margarine), and crumbled salty cheese into the well of flour. Also add the sour cream and the yeast mixture. Use a spatula or wooden spoon to incorporate the ingredients, then start kneading with your hands. It is important to knead the dough well, for about 10 minutes, until it becomes elastic and homogeneous. If the dough is too soft, gradually add a little flour until it reaches the desired consistency.

Step 4: Rising the dough

After kneading the dough well, cover the bowl with a clean towel and let it rise in a warm place for 30 minutes. The dough will rise beautifully, becoming fluffy and ready to shape.

Step 5: Shaping the pretzels

Once the dough has risen, remove it from the bowl and shape it into sticks about 2-3 cm thick. Join the ends of each stick to form pretzels. You can also give them the classic pretzel shape, but feel free to experiment with shapes!

Step 6: Baking

Dust a baking tray with flour to prevent sticking. Place the pretzels on the tray, leaving space between them, as they will rise a little more in the oven. Preheat the oven to 160-180 degrees Celsius and bake the pretzels for 15 minutes or until they turn golden. A simple technique to check if they are ready is to flip them over and check the bottom; if it is browned, they are perfect!

Useful tips

- For extra flavor: Add dried herbs like dill or oregano to the dough.
- Cheese variations: You can experiment with sweet cheese or goat cheese for a different taste.
- Serving: These pretzels are delicious served warm but can also be enjoyed cold. They can be accompanied by a garlic yogurt dip or a tomato salsa, which adds extra flavor.

Nutritional benefits

These cheese pretzels are an excellent source of protein and calcium due to the cheese and eggs. Lard, while high in calories, gives them a soft texture and special flavor. One pretzel contains about 120-150 calories, depending on size and ingredients used.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use another type of fat instead of lard?
Yes, you can use olive oil or margarine, but the texture will be different.

How can I keep the pretzels fresh?
Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature. If any remain, they can be revived in the oven to regain their crispy texture.

Can I freeze the pretzels?
Yes, the pretzels can be frozen. Let them cool completely, then wrap them well in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer container.

Now that you have gone through each step, you are ready to bring a touch of joy to your kitchen with these soft cheese pretzels. Experiment with ingredients, discover your favorite variations, and don't forget to share the final result with your loved ones. Enjoy your meal!