MMMMM----- Recipe via UNREGISTERED Meal-Master (tm) v8.01

      Title: CHEESE PRETZELS
 Categories: Crackers
      Yield: 16 servings

      1 pk (2-1/4 teaspoons) active
           Dry yeast
      1 tb Sugar
  1 1/2 c  Warm water
  3 1/2 c  Flour
      1 ts Salt
    1/2 lb (8 ounces) sharp cheddar
           Cheese, shredded (2 to
           2-1/2 cups, loosely packed)
      1    Egg, lightly beaten, for
           The tops
           Coarse salt for the tops

  "Pretzels can be made large and soft, or small and hard. The hard
  ones are more crackery. The soft ones are delicious with a ribbon of
  mustard on the top. Although this is a yeast dough, it is not allowed
  to rise, so these treats can be ready to eat in just a few minutes.
  425~F. 15 to 30 minutes, depending on size Preheat the oven to 425~F.

  In a small bowl, combine the yeast, sugar, and warm water. Set aside
  in a warm place until the yeast starts to foam, about 5 to 10 minutes.

  In a large bowl or in the food processor, combine the flour, salt, and
  cheese. Mix until the cheese is evenly coated.

  Add the yeast mixture to the flour mixture and mix well to form a
  cohesive dough. Knead the dough until it is smooth, 1 to 2 minutes by
  hand or 20 to 30 pulses in the food processor.

  With a sharp knife, divide the dough into 16 pieces if you are making
  large pretzels, or 32 pieces for smaller ones. With your hands, roll
  each piece into a rope about 12 inches long. You will have a more
  even-looking rope if you place the dough on a firm surface and roll
  your hands across the top, moving from the center outward. When the
  rope is the thickness you like, twist it into a pretzel shape by
  forming a loop in the center, twisting the ends, and gently attaching
  them to the bottom of the loop.

  Place each pretzel on an ungreased baking sheet. Brush the tops with
  the egg and sprinkle lightly and evenly with coarse salt.

  Immediately place the pretzels in the oven until the tops are a rich
  brown. This will be about 25 to 30 minutes for the larger pretzels
  and 15 to 20 minutes for the smaller ones. Yield: 16 to 32 pretzels,
  depending on size.

  VARIATIONS: Try using different cheeses. For plain pretzels, omit the
  cheese.
From: SPUNKY #108 @11110
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