Cheesy pretzels

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INGREDIENTS

  • 500g strong white bread flour, plus extra for dusting
  • 2 tbsp Fairtrade caster sugar
  • 7g sachet Co-op dried yeast
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 300ml Co-op semi-skimmed milk
  • 75g Co-op unsalted butter, melted, plus extra for greasing
  • 200g Co-op 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
  2. Make a well in the centre
  3. Heat the milk gently, with 50g of the melted butter, in a pan until lukewarm
  4. Pour into the centre of the flour and mix, gradually drawing in the dry ingredients to make a dough
  5. Knead on a floured surface for 5-10 mins, or until smooth
  6. Put in a greased bowl and cover with cling film
  7. Leave to rise somewhere warm until doubled in size
  8. Preheat the oven to 200°C/fan 180°C/Gas 6
  9. Knock back the dough and divide into 8 pieces
  10. Roll 1 piece into a sausage shape, then flatten slightly
  11. Scatter some of the Brie along the centre, then fold the dough over to encase the cheese
  12. Continue to roll into a long sausage, then twist into a pretzel shape — there are lots of video tutorials if you look online
  13. Put on a baking tray and repeat to make 8 pretzels
  14. Bring a large pan of water to the boil and add the bicarb
  15. Poach 2 pretzels at a time for about 1 minute, then remove with a slotted spoon and put on a baking tray
  16. Brush the pretzels with the remaining butter and scatter with the sesame seeds, if using
  17. Bake for 15-20 mins, until golden
  18. Remove from the oven and leave to cool