Game Day Soft Pretzels Cheese (Printable)

Warm, fluffy pretzels paired with a creamy cheddar cheese dip—perfect for fun gatherings and snacks.

# What You'll Need:

→ For the Soft Pretzels

01 - 1 ½ cups warm water (110°F/43°C)
02 - 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
03 - 1 tbsp granulated sugar
04 - 4 cups all-purpose flour
05 - 1 tsp salt
06 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
07 - ⅔ cup baking soda (for boiling)
08 - 1 large egg, beaten with 1 tbsp water (egg wash)
09 - Coarse salt, for sprinkling

→ For the Cheese Dip

10 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
11 - 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
12 - 1 cup whole milk
13 - 1 ½ cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
14 - ½ tsp Dijon mustard
15 - ¼ tsp garlic powder
16 - Salt and pepper, to taste

# How to Make It:

01 - In a large bowl, combine warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
02 - Stir in melted butter and salt. Gradually add flour, mixing until a shaggy dough forms.
03 - Knead dough on a floured surface for 5–7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
04 - Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 45 minutes, or until doubled in size.
05 - Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. In a large pot, bring 10 cups of water and baking soda to a boil.
06 - Divide dough into 8 equal pieces. Roll each into a 20-inch rope and shape into pretzels.
07 - Carefully dip each pretzel into the boiling baking soda solution for 30 seconds. Remove with a slotted spatula and place on prepared baking sheets.
08 - Brush each pretzel with egg wash and sprinkle with coarse salt.
09 - Bake for 12–14 minutes, or until deep golden brown. Cool slightly before serving.
10 - While pretzels bake, prepare the cheese dip: In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook 1 minute.
11 - Gradually whisk in milk and cook until thickened, about 2–3 minutes.
12 - Remove from heat and stir in cheddar cheese, mustard, and garlic powder. Season with salt and pepper. Serve warm with pretzels.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • That magic moment when you pull them from the oven and they shine like they came from a professional bakery
  • The cheese dip comes together in minutes and transforms these into something people talk about long after the game ends
02 -
  • That boiling step with baking soda is non negotiable for authentic pretzel flavor and texture
  • The dough rises faster in a warm spot like an oven with just the light on
  • Let the pretzels cool for at least 5 minutes or the cheese will slide right off
03 -
  • Weighing your flour instead of using cup measures gives you the most consistent results
  • A pizza cutter makes dividing the dough into 8 equal pieces so much easier
  • The pretzels are best within 2 hours of baking but rewarming brings them back to life

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