Cheesy pretzels

Cheesy pretzels
Chewy, cheesy homemade pretzels are easier to make than you think - you just need time for resting the dough before
Serves 8  / 
Prep 25 mins  / 
Cook 30 mins

Ingredients

500g strong white bread flour, plus extra for dusting 2 tbsp Fairtrade caster sugar 7g sachet Coop dried yeast ½ tsp salt 300ml Coop semi-skimmed milk 75g local unsalted butter, melted, plus extra for greasing 200g Coop Brie de Meaux, roughly chopped 2 tbsp bicarbonate of soda Sesame seeds to decorate (optional);

Method

1. Place the flour and sugar in a large bowl, then add the yeast at one side and the salt at the other. Make a well in the centre 2. Heat the milk gently, with 50g of the melted butter, in a pan until lukewarm 3. Pour into the centre of the flour and mix, gradually drawing in the dry ingredients to make a dough 4. Knead on a floured surface for 5-10 mins, or until smooth 5. Put in a greased bowl and cover with cling film 6. Leave to rise somewhere warm until doubled in size 7. Preheat the oven to 200°C/fan 180°C/Gas 6 8. Knock back the dough and divide into 8 pieces 9. Roll 1 piece into a sausage shape, then flatten slightly 10. Scatter some of the Brie along the centre, then fold the dough over to encase the cheese 11. Continue to roll into a long sausage, then twist into a pretzel shape — there are lots of video tutorials if you look online 12. Put on a baking tray and repeat to make 8 pretzels 13. Bring a large pan of water to the boil and add the bicarb 14. Poach 2 pretzels at a time for about 1 minute, then remove with a slotted spoon and put on a baking tray 15. Brush the pretzels with the remaining butter and scatter with the sesame seeds, if using 16. Bake for 15-20 mins, until golden 17. Remove from the oven and leave to cool