Soft Caramel Apple Pretzels with Cream Cheese Dipping Sauce

Apple soft pretzels are taking it up a notch! Perfect for fall or any time of the year really. I also love both of these glazes/dipping sauces, so I am giving you both options for you to pick your favorite also. Here's what you'll need for 6 soft pretzels:

Photo bySommer Collier

Ingredients:

• 1 cup whole milk, warmed to 110 degrees F
• One 1/4-ounce package active dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)
• 3 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for kneading
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature, plus more for greasing the bowl
• 1 small Granny Smith apple, peeled and finely chopped into 1/4-inch pieces
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/3 cup baking soda
• 2 tablespoons coarse salt

Caramel Glaze or Dipping Sauce:

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar, sifted
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• Pinch of kosher salt

Alternate Cream Cheese Dipping Sauce:

(Yield: 1 1/2 cups)

• 4 oz cream cheese, room temperature
• 3 Tbsp unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• pinch of kosher salt
• 2 Tbsp heavy cream, half and half, or whole milk

For the pretzels, start by pouring the warm milk into a medium bowl and sprinkling the yeast on top. Allow the yeast to bloom until it becomes foamy, about 5 minutes.

Next, stir in the brown sugar, vanilla, and 1 cup of flour with a wooden spoon until just combined. Incorporate the softened butter, then add the remaining 1 1/4 cups of flour, chopped apple, cinnamon, and kosher salt to create a sticky dough.

Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead, adding more flour if necessary, until it becomes smooth but still slightly tacky, about 5 minutes. Shape it into a ball, place in a lightly buttered large bowl, and cover tightly with plastic wrap. Let the dough rise in a warm place until it doubles in size, approximately 1 hour.

While the dough is rising, preheat the oven to 450°F and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.

Punch down the dough to release the air, then turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. If the dough feels tight, cover and let it rest until it relaxes. Divide the dough into 6 pieces.

Work with one piece at a time, rolling and stretching it with your palms into a 24-inch-long rope. Shape the rope into a U, then cross one end over the other twice to form a double twist in the center. Fold down the ends and attach them to the bottom of the U to create a pretzel shape. Repeat this process with the remaining pieces of dough.

Dissolve the baking soda in 3 cups of hot water in a shallow baking dish. Dip each pretzel into the soda solution, allowing the excess water to drip off before placing them on the prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle with coarse salt and bake until the pretzels are puffed and deep golden brown, about 12 to 15 minutes. Allow them to cool.

For the caramel glaze, melt the butter and brown sugar in a small saucepan over medium-low heat until fully melted and smooth. Whisk in the heavy cream until well combined, then transfer to a medium bowl. Add the confectioners' sugar, vanilla, and salt, whisking until smooth. The glaze should be thick enough to drizzle over the pretzels without running off. Immediately transfer to a piping bag or resealable bag with the corner snipped, and drizzle over the cooled pretzels. Allow the glaze to set for about 10 minutes.

Alternatively, you may use this caramel glaze as a dipping sauce, thinning if necessary. Enjoy!!

For the cream cheese dip:

• Add cream cheese and butter in a mixing bowl, and with a hand mixer, beat cream cheese and butter on medium speed until smooth and fluffy.
• Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt and mix until combined.
• Add heavy cream and beat for about 2 minutes, or until creamy.
• Store in refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 7 days, or use immediately.
• For a warm dip for softer items like pound cake or soft pretzels, you can also warm it in the microwave for a few seconds and enjoy!