DISNEY WORLD SOFT PRETZELS WITH CREAM CHEESE FILLING RECIPE - (4/5)

Steps:

• Pretzel Dough Directions: Place hot water and sugar in a small bowl. Stir until sugar has dissolved. Mix in the yeast and let sit 5 minutes. Combine the salt and flour in a large mixing bowl. Pour in the yeast liquid. Mix on low for 30 seconds with an electric mixer fitted with a dough hook. Continue to beat on medium speed until sides pull away from the bowl. If dough is still sticky, add more flour (1 tablespoon at a time). Transfer to a floured surface and knead until smooth. Place into an oiled bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Put it in a warm area and let rise until doubled. Punch dough down and divide into 16 even pieces. Roll one piece of dough at a time into 18-inch strips. (If you wish to make cream cheese-filled pretzels, stop here and follow the instructions below before proceeding.) Twist into a pretzel shape. Fill a large pot with 2-inches of water. Stir in baking soda and heat on medium-high. Place pretzels into water and poach 1 minute. Remove from water and place onto parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Brush pretzels with beaten egg and sprinkle on toppings. Bake at 450 degrees for 12-15 minutes until golden brown. Remove from oven. Serve hot with mustard or cheese dip. Filling Directions: Mix with electric mixer until creamy. Spoon filling into a gallon-size freezer bag and snip off the corner to make an icing bag. To fill pretzels, follow dough directions above until you have an 18-inch strip of dough. Roll the strip flat with a rolling pin until it is 1-inch wide. Squeeze a thin strip of icing down the center of the dough strip. Fold the ends over each other to seal in icing. Twist into pretzel shapes. Continue with the poaching step as shown above in the directions.