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The jalapeno cheese stuffed pretzel is one of my very favorite treats at Disneyland. Now you can have this spicy, cheesy taste of Disney at home!
These homemade pretzels are one of my very favorite snacks at Disney Parks. They are soft, chewy, salty, cheesy, gooey, and OH so good. They are a great, filling, snack for after school or when friends are over for a game night! You can’t go wrong with a soft pretzel recipe that is simple to make in your own home!
Homemade pretzels are not the easiest recipe to make but they are fun and tasty! It does take a bit to set up the dough, rise it, and then form it into a pretzel shape. All of this is worth the buttery, crispy outside, with a spicey jalapeno, melty cheese vibe on the inside! You can’t go wrong with this decadent pretzel recipe!
Disneyland Jalapeño Cheese Stuffed Pretzel
When making any form of dough, most of the time you need to activate the yeast. The first few ingredients are just that. Then with the remaining ingredients, you are creating the dough. These ingredients are all pantry staples and some that you already have in your home year-round. This is an easy ingredient list to pull from!
- Active dry yeast – This will speed up the process and help boost the dough to rise double the size.
- Sugar – Granulated sugar gives the yeast something to feed off of and helps it build and grow. It also has a sweet taste!
- Warm water – You don’t want hot water but more warm water that is about 110 degrees Fahrenheit. The water will help activate the yeast. If it is too cold or too hot it won’t work properly.
- Oil – This oil is used for a few different things in the recipe card. You will need it for the yeast mixture, oiling the dough bowl from sticking and using it on top of the dough.
- Flour – All-purpose flour is the thickness and texture that brings the dough to form.
- Salt – This will balance out the flavors to a sweet, spicy, and savory dough.
- Jalapeno cheese – I did this by cutting a 1-pound block of cheese into fourths, lengthwise, and then cut each fourth in half again lengthwise to make 8 long sticks. Then I cut them down into smaller pieces.
- Egg – Binds the dough together and gives it shape and moisture. Eggs are also good for the texture of the inside of the dough.
- Shredded cheese – Sprinkle the cheese on top for an extra special touch!
How to make Jalapeño Cheese Stuffed Pretzels
Don’t be alarmed with each of these steps! These soft pretzels take a little extra time but are so worth the wait! You will love the soft inside and the buttery outer layer. The jalapeno cheese adds just the right amount of spice to this jalapeno pretzel. It is the perfect combination!
- Activate yeast – In a small bowl, mix yeast and warm water. Let stand until foamy and creamy. Add oil to the yeast mixture and set aside.
- Mix – In a stand mixer bowl or large bowl combine flour and salt.
- Combine – Pour the yeast mixture into the flour mixture and knead on low speed. If mixing by hand, knead the dough for the same amount of time.
- Let rise – Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place.
- Prepare cheese – While the dough is rising, cut the cheese. Each pretzel will have the equivalent of 1 “stick” of cheese.
- Divide – When the dough has risen, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and divide it into 8 equal pieces.
- Assemble – Roll each piece into a rope and use a rolling pin to flatten it out. Place cheese pieces along the middle of the dough, leaving a few inches of dough on each end without the cheese. This will make it easier to twist into shape. Pinch the dough tightly around the cheese and roll out until the rope shape again. Twist into a pretzel shape.
- Baking soda boil – In a large saucepan, dissolve baking soda in water and bring to a boil, stirring until the soda is dissolved. Remove from heat. Dip each pretzel into the baking soda-water solution. Using a slotted spoon, remove from the water and place pretzels on a baking sheet. Pinch together any separated seams if needed.
- Brush – In a small bowl, beat the egg with water until foamy. Brush egg mixture over the top of each pretzel and sprinkle with cheese or sea salt.
- Bake – Bake in preheated oven until golden brown, about 8-10 minutes.
“Used pepper jack cheese because I couldn’t find jalapeno cheese. Seriously yummy! We ate them just on their own, but I think they would be tasty dipped in soup as well. 🙂”
-Kara
Disneyland Jalapeño Cheese Stuffed Pretzel
Ingredients
- 4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 ½ cups warm water
- 3 tablespoons oil
- 3 ¾ cups flour
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 pound block jalapeno cheese or pepper jack cheese (not shredded)
- ⅓ cup baking soda
- 4 cups plus 1 tablespoon water, divided
- 1 egg
- shredded Parmesan cheese or coarse sea salt, for topping
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, mix together yeast, sugar, and warm water. Let stand until foamy and creamy, about 10 minutes. Add oil to the yeast mixture. Set aside.
- Step 2: In a stand mixer bowl or large bowl, combine flour and salt.
- Step 3: Pour yeast mixture into flour mixture and knead on low speed for 10 minutes. (If mixing it by hand, knead the dough for the same amount of time.)
- Step 4: Lightly oil a large bowl. Place dough inside, turning to coat.
- Step 5: Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
- Step 6: While the dough rises, cut the cheese into 1-inch-long rectangular pieces. I did this by cutting the 1-pound block of cheese into fourths lengthwise, and then I cut each fourth in half lengthwise again to make 8 long sticks. (Each pretzel will use 1 of these long sticks of cheese.) Cut each stick into 1-inch-long pieces. Cover the cheese to keep it from drying out. Set aside.
- Step 7: When the dough has risen, heat the oven to 450 degrees F. Cover a baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray foil with cooking spray. Set aside.
- Step 8: Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and divide into 8 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a rope and use a rolling pin to flatten it out.
- Step 9: Place cheese pieces along the middle of the dough, leaving a few inches of dough on each end without cheese. This will make it easier to twist into shape.
- Step 10: Pinch the dough tightly up around the cheese and roll it out until it is in a rope shape again. Make sure there are no holes along the seam; you don't want the cheese to ooze out.
- Step 11: Twist into a pretzel shape. Cover with plastic wrap if needed to keep it from drying out.
- Step 12: In a large saucepan, bring baking soda and 4 cups of water to a boil, stirring until the baking soda is dissolved. Remove from heat.
- Step 13: Completely dip each pretzel in the baking soda solution for 10-20 seconds each. Using a slotted spatula, remove pretzels from the water and place them on a baking sheet. Pinch together any separated seams, if needed.
- Step 14: Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Place aluminum foil over a baking sheet and spray with cooking spray.
- Step 15: In a small bowl, beat the egg with the remaining 1 tablespoon water until foamy. Brush egg mixture over the top of each pretzel and sprinkle with cheese or sea salt.
- Step 16: Bake for 8-10 minutes, until golden brown.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I buy jalapeno cheese pretzels at Disneyland?
The most consistent place that you can find these gooey, spicy cheese-filled pretzels is at The Refreshment Corner at Disneyland, next to the Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe at the top of Main Street U.S.A. You can also often find them at various pretzel carts around the parks.
Where can I buy jalapeno cheese pretzels at Disney World?
Finding cheese-stuffed pretzels at Disneyworld can be a little more tricky. From what I understand, they can come and go in the pretzel carts and restaurants throughout the parks. Lowtide Lou’s at Typhoon Lagoon seems to be the only place that consistently has them. We have heard reports of people also being able to find them at the Lunching Pad in Tomorrow Land at Magic Kingdom but it isn’t always a sure thing.
How much does a pretzel at Disneyland or Disney World cost?
Disney is always changing their prices and what types of pretzels they have available. Usually, Disneyland will sell its pretzels for around $7.25 to $7.69. These can vary from time of year, location, and what types/kinds they are serving.
Tips for Making the Best Stuffed Pretzels
These tips and variations for jalapeno cheese pretzels help along the way! Helpful ways to make these pretzels just the way you like them. Quick tips that will create the best homemade pretzels!
- Jalapeno cheese – The only tricky thing about this recipe is the jalapeño cheese. It can be a little difficult to find. We have substituted Pepper Jack cheese before and honestly can’t even taste a difference.
- Shredded cheese – At Disneyland, they sprinkle these particular pretzels with shredded cheese before baking. If you want to make it more of a “traditional” pretzel you can always use coarse sea salt as a substitute.
- Assembling – For the perfect pretzel shape, whip up the dough, roll it into ropes, flatten it out, and add the cheese.
- Pretzel bites – Instead of making the dough into pretzel shapes make them into pretzel bombs. These are similar to making a jalapeno popper.
- Shape – Cut up the cheese into small rectangles so you can easily shape it into a pretzel. The rectangles of cheese also melt MUCH better than shredded cheese to help you get a good “cheese pull”. Next, shape the pretzel and dip it in boiling water with baking soda.
- Brush – Lay the pretzels out on a baking sheet, brush with egg, and sprinkle with cheese or salt. Bake and serve!
Interested in more Disney Recipes?
Credit: Disney Family
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This post originally appeared on Favorite Family Recipes.
