Last year I tried what is now our favorite recipe for pretzel bread, and since then I've been kicking around the idea to bake something into the dough -- specifically, cheddar cheese and jalapeno. I wasn't sure if it would work, but as you can see from the photo, we now have Jalapeno Cheddar Pretzel Bread!
Jalapeno Cheddar Pretzel Bread Tips
The recipe makes two loaves, so you can stuff one of the loaves with cheese and leave the other plain. I also found out by accident that 2% milk cheese works. Normally I'd go for the full fat cheese, but I'd bought some 2% for snacking and accidentally used it. It was surprisingly smooth and melty (not rubbery) and tasted great. Considering how well the cheddar and jalapeno combo worked, I'm looking forward to trying some other flavors of cheese and pepper.
Variations
This is just my one cheesy take on pretzel bread, and while I wish I could try every variation, we're a small household and only one of us loves cheese. Do what you will with the recipe -- use different flavors of cheese, take out the peppers if you need to, or add in another vegetable.
More Peppery Recipes!
Recipe
Jalapeno Cheddar Pretzel Bread
Ingredients
- 1 cup milk (240 grams)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (28 grams)
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar (25 grams)
- 1 ¾ teaspoons kosher salt
- 3 cups bread flour or all-purpose (380 grams)
- 2 ¼ teaspoons quick rise yeast
- ½ cup approximately small slices of cheese
- 2 tablespoons jalapeno chopped and seeded from a can of whole
Boiling Solution
- 3 quarts water
- ¾ cup baking soda, though I sometimes use less
- Some beaten egg for brushing
Instructions
- Heat the milk and the butter together in a microwave-safe measuring cup until mixture just begins to boil. Let the mixture cool to about 120-130 on a thermometer.
- Meanwhile, Mix the sugar, salt, 2 cups of the flour and the yeast in a stand mixer bowl. Add the 120-130 degree milk mixture and stir until well blended, then gradually add the remaining flour until the dough is soft, yet not too dry. If you weighed the flour, you'll probably use it all.
- Knead the dough with the dough hook until it is smooth and elastic. Put the dough in a large buttered bowl (or leave it in the stand mixer bowl if you'd like) and let sit, covered, for about an hour or until it has risen. It may not quite double in bulk.
- Punch down the dough and divide it into two sections.
- Roll or just pat 1 section into a "rectangle-ish" slab and lay pieces of cheese and jalapeno on it, pressing them into the dough. Roll dough up and around the cheese and peppers and form it into a ball. Repeat with the other section of dough.
- Bring water and baking soda to a boil in a large pot. Boil each loaf for two minutes, turning halfway, being careful that they don't fall apart. Remove with a slotted spatula. Set the loaves on a parchment lined or well-greased baking sheet.
- Brush loaves with some beaten egg and sprinkle with a little kosher salt. If you have one, take a razor and slash a nice "X" through the top of each loaf.
- Bake at 400 degrees F. for about 26 to 28 minutes.
Erika says
This looks amazing!
Erin says
I just wanted to tell you that we are obsessed with the maple cashew popcorn. It is so yummy. I think it will be my next year's Christmas gift. Thanks for always doing those lists of your favorites. It gives me a place to begin.
I've got my eye on this bread too.
Sarah says
Wow, gorgeous bread! Looks really tasty and professional:)
Darlene says
This reminds me of the Jalapeno Cheddar Bread that we would buy from Dudley's Bakery when we lived in San Diego. It made the most wonderful grilled cheese sandwiches (Oh, to be young and add cheese to your cheese bread!).
Janel @ Creating Tasty Stories says
I love soft pretzels. I've never thought of making a big loaf like this and you can't go wrong with cheese and jalapenos, can you?