Disney Cream Cheese Pretzel (Lunching Pad at Magic Kingdom)
Pretzel Ingredients:
- 2 cups hot water
- 1 TB sugar
- 1 envelope (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
- 5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 TB salt
- Non-stick cooking spray
- 2 TB baking soda
- 1 egg, beaten
Cream Cheese Filling Ingredients:
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 1/4 tsp Mexican vanilla extract
- 1 pinch salt
Directions:
- Place hot water and sugar in a small bowl. Stir until sugar has dissolved. Mix in the yeast and let sit for 5 minutes. Combine the salt and flour in a large mixing bowl. Pour in the yeast liquid. Mix on low for 30 seconds with an electric mixer fitted with a dough hook. Continue to beat on medium speed until sides pull away from the bowl. If the dough is still sticky, add more flour (1 TB at a time).
- Make the cream cheese filling. Mix all ingredients with a mixer until creamy. Spoon filling into a gallon-size freezer bag. When ready to use, snip off the corner to make an icing bag.
- Transfer dough to a floured surface and knead until smooth. Place into an oiled bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Put in a warm area and let rise until doubled. (Typically takes around an hour.) Punch dough down and divide into 16 even pieces. Roll one piece of dough at a time into 18-inch strips. Roll the strip flat with a rolling pin until it is 1-inch wide. Pipe a thin strip of cream cheese filling down the center of the dough strip. Fold the ends over each other to seal in the filling. Twist into pretzel shapes.
- Fill a large pot with 2 inches of water. Stir in baking soda and heat on medium high. Place pretzels into water and poach for 1 minute. (This makes the pretzel a chewy texture.) Remove from water and place on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Brush pretzels with beaten egg and sprinkle on any toppings. Bake at 450 degrees Fahrenheit for 12-15 minutes until golden brown. Serve fresh & warm from the oven.
