I think I’d like to write a book about how to make friends, entitled How to Make Friends, the almost fairytale.
Chapter One
Once upon a time there was a lonely girl who had but one friend… her snaggle-toothed mother. One day, in the kitchen, she stumbled upon a rare and delicious combination. A combination never before discovered in the land of Lonleyia. Warm, soft, salty dough met with… hot dogs.
It was as though rainbows, unicorns, and friendly hobbits had descended upon this special girl. People came from far and wide to sample her new found delicacy and friendships blossomed abound. It was like Springtime. Springtime of friendships.
Even the girl’s snaggle-toothed mother made a friend or two.
Never again was the lonely girl lonely (or hungry)…
The end.
Yea… my next book only has one chapter, one recipe, and about 34 words. No biggie.
So! You have two options here. You can re-read this story and go take a nap OR (and I totally suggest this next option) you could make these pretzel dogs this weekend, serve them with spicy mustard and cold beer, and make (or solidify) friendships of your own.
Choose your own adventure. No bigs.
Essentially, we’re wrapping soft dough around hot dogs. It’s nothing more complicated than that.
If that doesn’t sound like the best thing to happen all week, I invite you to come back in two days from now.
Ps. I love you.
Don’t be fooled by the twisty and golden brown nature of pretzels… they’re actually really simple to make.
It all starts with yeast, warm water, and flour.
At first the dough is shaggy shaggy.
With a little work of the dough hook, it will come together!
This is the luscious dough before rising.
It should feel light and soft. This will be a tender dough. It will be slightly sticky, but not sticky enough to actually stick to your hands.
It’s like a little dough pillow.
If your first instinct is to rest your head on the dough… you’re on the right track.
This is real life.
It’s juuust dough. Back off, kitten!
Beautifully risen dough.
It’s like magic in a bowl.
My trick?
I leave dough to rise in an OFF gas oven, or on the back burner of my stovetop with the oven left on at 200 degrees F.
Cut the soft dough into 16 pieces (for 1/2 hot dogs) or 8 pieces (for big ol’ whole hot dogs).
So light and tender.
But don’t eat it yet!
Rolling the dough into ropes.
Channel your Play-Doh days.
Ropes get rolled 12-inches long for half dogs, and 24-inches for whole dogs. It’s science… or not at all.
If this seems like SO MUCH FUN to you… I consider us friends.
Just make sure that the ends are sealed and pressed together.
The next step is boiling!
If the dogs aren’t sealed up tight they might unravel a bit… which is totally not the end of the world, ps.
Pretzels are boiled in a baking soda and water solution.
The baking soda changes the alkalinity of the outside of the pretzel. Baking soda is what gives pretzels their distinctive chewy crunch and golden color.
Baking soda is what separates these pretzel dogs from bagel dogs… and these are most certainly NOT bagel dogs.
Although… if you’re interested in bagel pizza… I was too.
Serve these pretzel dogs to many. You’ll need to share. Don’t be like me and eat too many. While you’re in the kitchen making awesome, you might also consider these Fried Pickles!
These pretzel dogs are so warn, tender, and utterly delicious. I promise that these darlings will find you friends, lovers, and stalkers of the feline variety.
ps. Leave Me Alone, Kitten!
Pretzel Dogs
makes 16 pretzel dogs (made from cutting hot dogs in half)
recipe adapted from Alton Brown
1 ½ cups warm water (between 110 and 115 degrees F)
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
2 ¼ teaspoons (1 package) active dry yeast
22 ounces all-purpose flour (about 4 1/2 cups)
2 teaspoons salt
2 tablespoons butter, melted and cooled
about 14 cups of water
1 cup baking soda
1 large egg, beaten, with a splash of water
salt and pepper for topping
In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine warm water and sugar. Sprinkle the yeast on top of the water and set aside for 5 minutes. The mixture will begin to foam and froth. If it doesn’t, throw the mixture away and start again with new yeast.
Once the yeast and water is frothy, add the flour, salt, and melted butter. Using the dough hook, mix on low speed until well combined. Increase the speed to medium and knead the dough until it is smooth and pulls away from the side of the bowl, creating a ball of dough around the dough hook. Beat on medium speed for approximately 4 minutes.
Remove the dough from the bowl. The dough will be soft, pliable, and just a bit sticky. That’s perfect. Scrape any residue out of the bowl and coat the bowl with a bit of vegetable oil. Place the dough back in the bowl, sprinkle with flour, cover with plastic wrap, and store in a warm place to rise. Allow dough to rise, until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
Place baking racks in the center and upper third of the oven. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper, and lightly brush the paper with oil. It’s important to brush the parchment paper or the pretzels will stick!
Combine water and baking soda in a large pan (8 quart is fine) saucepan and bring to a boil.
While the water comes to a boil, turn the dough out onto a clean, slightly oiled work surface. Divide dough into 8 or 16 pieces, depending on how large you’d like your pretzel dogs. 8 pieces of dough for whole hot dogs. 16 pieces of dough if you’re doing to slice the hot dogs in half.
Start with the fingers of both hands in the center of the dough, and roll, moving your hands outward as you roll. Roll the dough along the oiled surface until you have about a 24-inch or 12-inch piece of rope (depending on how large your piece of dough was… the more dough the longer the rope).
Wrap pretzel around a hot dog, making sure to seal the ends.
When water has come to a boil, gently lower a few pretzel dogs into the boiling water. Boil for 30 seconds. Remove carefully, using a flat, slotted spatula. Place on prepared baking sheet. Brush boiled pretzels with beaten egg, and add coarse sea salt and fresh cracked black pepper.
Bake until deeply golden brown, about 12 to 14 minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack for a few minutes before serving warm.
Soft pretzels are best enjoyed the day they are made.
If you’re not going to enjoy all your pretzel dogs, double wrap them in plastic wrap and store in the freezer. When ready to serve, transfer out of plastic and into a piece of foil. Wrap well and bake in a 350 degree oven for 12 minutes, or until heated through.
Aika
I just made mine and oh-my-god I had like 10 already! I made too much dough which turned into actual pretzels but hey, my boyfriend doesn’t mind at all.
Ann
I made these tonight and they came out perfect. Your recipe was very easy to follow and the product looked just like your photographs. Thanks for the recommendation!
jill332
would you freeze these after you make cook them or before baking them? thanks!
heather youngblood
I think i just peed myself a little. And fell in love with you a little bit.No wonder my daughter loves you. I was a single mom, and a bartender for way too long. Not snaggle toothed, thank the gods…….but i used to bring homemade and yummy things on my day shifts, after i hit 30 i was done with high volume places, wanted to make my mark in a different way. I decided to cater to my own crowd, restaurant and hospitality people. They appreciate hard work much more. I dont bartend anymore, but my lovely dotta suggested your site to me. (she is working on being a chef, she is 20 and in her fourth year of working in the kitchen, fine dining. Fluent in Spanish, not classroom Spanish, but kitchen, and hard learned conversational Spanish, most dialects). This is a very user friendly recipe, great visuals, i used it with fantastic results. My sister doesn’t cook, i made her these, with a stone ground mustard/beer/ cheese sauce, and homemade hot sauce, and special sister blend of spicy pickled veggies, in a blinged out jar (she is fond of bling) she doesn’t cook much at all, she thought it was amazing. Great recipe. Thanks.
Natalie @ Obsessive Cooking Disorder
Your pretzel dog recipe has been featured –> https://www.obsessivecooking.com/2014/09/pretzel-dogs.html
However, when I made it, I didn’t a pretty golden brown color like yours. These were a nice quick on the go snack/meal, thanks so much :D Awesome game day food idea
Iris bar
Can I do them with mozzarella stiks?
Ana
I made them today and they were a great success,
easy and funny to make and really delicious.
Thank you so much for sharing this recipe and for your blog,
the explanations are easy to understand and the pics are a great help!
Hello there, Kitty! (so cute!)
Kimberly O
I made these yesterday and they were AMAZING! Thanks for the recipe, my new friends thank you! :)
Leann
Is this something I could prepare the night before? Like make the dough and wrap the hotdogs the night before, then boil and bake them the next day?
joythebaker
Great question! I think it would over-proof the dough, so I wouldn’t do it. But if you go ahead anyway, please let me know your results!!
patricia
Hi! I think you could do that. What I did was prepare them (boiling included), wrap and freeze half the batch. A few days later I just unwrapped and put in the oven. Worked perfectly and were delicious, just like the first batch, that I baked on the day I made them!
Patricia
Hi, Joy! I’m so delighted to have found you a couple of weeks ago! I am from Brazil and I enjoy every recipe I have made so far. I just have one question: if I choose to freeze the dogs, when I am ready to bake them I should take them out of the freezer, unwrap the plastic, wrap each one in foil and immediately put them in a pre-heated oven? Is the foil going to prevent any unwanted moist? Thanks! xoxo
Tugce
You can definitely consider to have a friend in Istanbul, Turkey as well!
Rachel
Making these today for the third time . . . such a gerat recipe and instructions, thank you!!
Kate
Since you brought these amazing gems into my life, I feel I need to share an innovation I’ve made to the recipe. Have you ever had a street dog in Seattle while up here visiting your sis? It’s common practice to put cream cheese on hot dogs / sausages in Seattle. They go so well together – I pretty much can’t eat a dog any other way. SO… when making these this year for a Super Bowl party I froze a block of cream cheese, and then sliced it thinly and wrapped it w/ the dogs into the pretzel dough. They just came out of the oven… bomb.com dude!
Erin
Hi Joy!
Loved the idea of pretzel dogs and so decided to make them for a super bowl/knitting party today (because football is way more enjoyable when have something to keep the other half of your brain busy). All my nicely rolled up pretzels unwound like corkscrews in the boil/baking (they apparently didn’t want to be attached to the hotdogs). They still taste awesome, so I’m definitely going to give them another try in future. But have you any tips on the shaping?
Many Thanks! –Erin
Kathrin @ ginger, lemon & spice
I just looooooove your cat!!! Can’t you just make a post in the view of him? I would looooove a cat special :)
when I’m grown up – meaning i finally make enough money to pay for all my bills and have a nice house or flat for myself I want to have a kitten just like yours! It MUST be orange, because I am too ;)
Jessie
Your cat in the last photo is totally cracking me up. And you are messing me up…and the grocery list I had just started and all my attempts to stick to my budget. I know all those things don’t cost that much but should I really bring about 50 different things to a party? That will def get me out of lonelyville. ;)
Sarah @ The Cyclist's Wife
Hey Joy! These look so good but I can’t pin any of the photos with the pinmarklet thing-y for Pinterest…..? Help, it’s my best place to store recipes. :)
Sofia Picasso
Hi Joy! I was wondering if I could use baking powder instead of Baking Soda… Is it the same??? Can I replace them?
joythebaker
not the same! you need the soda!
Jay
Hi Joy! I have recently returned home (NZ) from a trip to Germany and became OBSESSED with pretzels while abroad, there are sooo many varieties. I figured they’d be difficult to make, but they look surprisingly straight forward, so thank you for reminding me to make them! And stuffed with hot dogs?! What could be better. Nothing, nothing is the answer.
P.s. you should try Currywurst if you haven’t already. Simple yet amazing.
Yvonne
I’ve made these about 5 times now. It is my husbands favorite thing to request. I also like to substitute hotdogs for brats that have been cooked in beer. YUM!
Thanks so much for this post. This is THE recipe my husband will probably always request for Father’s Day and his birthday from now on.
Charlotte Ross
Yeah, it’s the cat that keeps me reading the recipe. Gonna try to make dough someday. My 4 cats will probably make it more fun. :)
Bailey
Hi Joy! Do you think the dough would come out alright if I knead it by hand? I don’t have a dough hook…
Jodi
Hi Joy,
I am doing a Oktoberfest party and I am wondering if I can do everything up until the baking part ahead of time? The party is for 100 people, so that’s a lot of these to make…Can they freeze well or is storing in the refrigerator OK for a few hours?
Let me know! These look amazing!
Jodi
joythebaker
It would be a bit iffy, I think. It’s a yeasted dough, so it remains alive even in the fridge. i’m just not sure how it would react. i think it’s best to make them on the spot.
Abby
PIGS IN A PRETZEL!
Toni O
What’s the best way to keep the dough together? I’m having a little trouble with it coming apart, especially as they bake. Thanks for your help! These dogs are the best!!
Gretchen
have you ever doubled the recipe? sometimes doubling messes with the rising of the dough… let me know what you think! thanks!
Addie
These are amazing!! Instead of Wetzel pretzels i make these and add jalapenos on top…. awsomeness :D I make them at least twice a month! plussss im a vegetarian so i make these with veggie dogs and let me tell you it tastes exactly the same or at least my meat eating family thinks they do.
Joy
As soon as I saw the recipe, I heard a Hallelujah chorus behind me; I LOVE PRETZEL DOGS! I made them today just because and I don’t even want to share them with the family. This is so great! Thanks for sharing the recipe! =)
sam
I love your cat!!!!!!!
The last picture is amazing.. Your cooking looks delicious!
http://www.samanthabui.com
Carmen
I love that your cat’s lurking in the background. Hehe.
Annie
I’m going to make this recipe next week fo sho!
Btw, I have viewed this recipe like 1000 times since you posted it, and I think it’s partly because I cannot get enough of your adorable kitty. Love that you snuck him in! (Or the other way around…? Hmm.)
Sonya
My husband saw this recipe and is intrigued! Will be on the menu shortly!
Diana
These look so good, i’m drooling, I wanna make them right now!
Thanks for sharing!
Jennifer Tan
Hi Joy! This is a great looking recipe. I’ve been wanting to make pretzels for a while and am really excited to try out this recipe this weekend.
I was wondering, do you cook the hot dogs before you wrapped them?
Thanks!
Krista
In the make ahead and freeze idea, can I do everything but bake them AND then freeze? Or should I do everything, freeze and then warm in the oven? I have a tricky time with freezers :)
Cat
What would happen if I made these with bread flour instead of all purpose?
joythebaker
the dough would have more gluten content and be a bit tougher. probably not the end of the world.
Sherine
Hi, so I heard we are friends now, will you share some? =D
chefroommate
So hi! I made these Friday and they were bonkers delicious. As my roommates said they tasted like:
1. Childhood, 2. The Cape, 3. Summer time, and 4. Happiness. You’re amazing – thanks for inspiring me with your wonderful food and your wonderful self every gosh darn day.
Amber
Made these for dinner and they were supper yummy!
Claudia
I didn’t have enough hotdogs to make a whole bunch of these, so I used the rest of the dough to make normal pretzels. :( Unfortunately, those taste really funky. I think it’s the baking soda? The ones with the hotdogs are delicious, though.
Sara
Joy, loved, loved, this recipe. I will be mentioning it today on my little blog at http://www.allsortsofgoodstuff.blogspot.com and providing a link back to your site. Thanks for always sharing such great recipes.
Wendy
Oh man… These look so amazingly delicious…AHH!
I have a quick question for you Joy!
Are there any particular sauces that go well with these?
Thanks!
Lauren
I love pretzel dogs so much! My husband and I have been making them for the last year or so, and we also use Alton Brown’s recipe. We put jalapeno jack cheese in ours–it makes them gooey and slightly spicy.
Also, I love the peeping kitty! We have one who looks a lot like that.
bakerkat
SO SO GOOD!!!
I love these
ahu @ ahueats.com
these are so cute – the pretzel reminds me of the amazing little pretzels at bouley bakery in new york!
Kristina@Quickbrownfoxbakery
I made these for a viewing of Kindergarten Cop on Friday, they were delicious AND theme-appropriate! I squeezed out 18 mini dogs by using leftover scraps of dough from the first 16; the leftover dough dogs didn’t hold together in the boil, but they tasted exactly the same and I scarfed them before anyone was the wiser =) Eight people demolished ALL of them, so I’d say this recipe is a winner! Thank you, Joy! I blogged about it here: https://blog.quickbrownfoxbakery.com/2012/02/recipe-mini-soft-pretzel-dogs.html
Laura B.
Made these last weekend and can I just – DIVINE! Hands down the best pretzel dough I’ve ever had. Will be making the dough again to try out some soft pretzels! YUM! Thanks Joy!!
mokosha
these perfect little dogs were absolute hit on my party the other night.. i even made few vegetarian ones, using some sort of soybean hot dogs.. soooo easy and delicious recipe, i might make it again today..
AnnaZed
Can you do these on a silpat?
Also, (forgive, I might have been struck dumb by the awesomeness of the idea of this), but
‘… Roll the dough along the oiled surface …’
What oiled surface?
Paola Parsons
You can use a silpat. You should roll the dough on an oiled surface: “While the water comes to a boil, turn the dough out onto a clean, slightly oiled work surface…”
Renee - Kudos kitchen
Thank you SO much for this recipe! I can hardly wait to try these in my own kitchen.
Oh, and by the way, I got such a huge kick out of kitty making a few surprise appearances. Such a fun touch!
Julia
Is it possible to make these without a stand mixer/dough hook?
kim
they sell this at asian bakeries!
janeycakes
These look fantabulous! But what if I don’t have a dough hook? I need to make these! xo
Peter
There’s always been evidence that you are spectacular and that your food is spectacular. Now I also see your cat is spectacular.
Lena
These were AWESOME and so easy to make. Joy you rock!
Steve
I also made these for a Super Bowl party – came out exactly as pictured and tasted great. This recipe goes into my file.
Thanks, Joy!
Seriously Sassy Mama
Oh my goodness these look good!
linda
have enjoye dmany of the ideas and recipes yo have shared…made these last week and they came out really terrific, the family loved them as did I – many thanks!
Sharon
I intended to serve these for Super Bowl, but we wound up having them last night for dinner. Delish! FYI, I made the pretzel dough on Saturday, punched down the dough after it rose, kept it in the fridge in a ziploc, and made the dogs fresh yesterday. Worked like a charm.
Amanda
I can’t seem to find my previous comment to “reply” to but the earth balance in lieu of egg wash worked wonderful (+ replacing hot dogs with veggie dogs obviously) for my vegan pretzel dogs. They were probably one of the best things I’ve ever make. And I ate five of them.
thank you!
Allie
Made these yesterday for a Superbowl shindig. So much fun! This is probably me being inept, but I had some trouble wrapping the dough around the dog. The dough just didn’t seem to seal together as nicely as yours did, Joy. But still delicious, and maybe next time around I’ll be better at assembling them!
Rita
Can’t wait to get home to make this with my kids!! Looks so yummy & fun!
Mandy
This looks delicious!
PS I love your cat creepily staring at the camera dead on in the last picture! haha!
Meghan
Made these yesterday for our Super Bowl party and they were delicious! I served them with a spicy cheese sauce and they were a huge hit- thanks! I’ll never buy soft pretzels again! My pretzel dogs didn’t turn out as dark brown as yours – do you think this a function of the length of time in the water/soda, or the length of time in the oven/heat? Or possibly my egg wash? I used a whole egg with maybe a scant tsp of water. Thanks again!
Katie
My first 8 boiled longer than the second and ended up closer to what is pictured so I would guess it was maybe the length of boil. Both batches were delicious though- scarfed one down after it had been out of the oven maybe 3 minutes.
Anna
Wow. Made these last night for my 2-person superbowl couch-fest. As my boyfriend was taking his first bites, this is what it was like:
“mmmm” [closes eyes] “MMMM YES!” [nodding, eyes still closed]. Perfect, may have made up for his team losing.
Just delicious, and really fun to make! Thanks for the idea, it’s awesome.
Annie
These came together beautifully, and they were so much fun to make! Perfect Super Bowl food — and something to look forward to for lunch today. My German food-obsessed husband immediately started fantasizing about the different types of brats we could pretzel-ify, with flavored doughs to match. I think we have a lot of pretzel dogs in our future.
rachel
Wow! made these for the superbowl last night after finding them on Pinterest! They cam out PERFECT. thank you so much for the great instructions and photos . . .
Diana
we loved these!!! just made them for the super bowl. Fantastic.
Jess E
Tried to make these today and the dough would not come together. :( it got to the shaggy part but wouldn’t come back together at all. I made two batches and they both turned out the same. Any suggestions?
Jen
I made these today. I live in Germany so there’s really no shortage of fresh pretzels, but my husband was still GIDDY. I mean, I could have just made him a hot dog, but the novelty of the meat actually being cooked IN the bread made him grin like a handsome fool. I’m veg, so I made a half-batch stuffed with meat (turkey-cheese hot dog things) for my man, and used the rest to make the classic knot shape. I served them with soup for a light supper. I’ll definitely make these again.
Anna
Hey! Love the recipe! Was thinking of trying it, but how long do you think it takes from begining to end? THANKS! :)
joythebaker
It should take about 2 hours with rise time and cook time.
Maria
I truly just drooled all over myself. These look so delicious …. but lets say if one doesn’t have an electric mixer… does the ol’ wooden spoon and strength of one arm work?
Lisa
Hi Joy, I just made these for my family for lunch, super easy, my daughter helped with the boiling. I made the minis and only have two left, I am sure they will not make it through the afternoon. Thank you again for another fabulous recipe!
KathyD
Made a batch this morning, and the boys are full and happy … A really over-the-moon sort of happy. Thank you!
Elly
Hey Joy! These look fantastic – I’m totally trying them for a Superbowl party tomorrow! Just a thought – it might be good to add the sea salt to the list of ingredients. I didn’t think to get any at the store, since only regular salt was on list – I’m sure it’ll still be delicious with normal salt on the finished product though.
sarah
When I first saw this post, my husband, who is every bit a non-foodie as much as I AM one, was sitting next to me and immediately exclaimed, “CAN YOU PLEASE MAKE THOSE RIGHT NOW???”
I didn’t get a chance to make them that evening but after an enormous snowstorm + being stuck in the house with two littles + some wicked cabin fever, we finally mixed up a batch of dough and wrapped it around some fat weiners tonight. So. Perfect. So. Beautiful.
Thank you.
Deborah Reed
For the ladies asking about how to make this without a mixer: I don’t have a mixer either, and am planning on making these little beauties for the Superbowl. I read online that when kneading dough by hand, you generally want to double the time recommended to knead by machine. Also go by how the dough looks and feels. So… that is what I’m going to try. Can’t wait!
Alyssa Goodnight
Those look de-licious!! Maybe I can figure out how to make that pretzel dough gluten free… YUM!
Seanna Lea
These are on my list to make this weekend. They look perfect for a Super Bowl party (or just my husband and myself).
Helena / Rico sin Azúcar
I love the shape, the color and the filling!!!!!!
I’m going to try it for sure! :)
Rhapsody
Love the cat lurking in the background in the last picture! LOL
sherlonya
I feel so indecent for returning to your page more than once to catch a glimpse of these little weenies wrapped so comfortably in their pretzel blankets. I think I am going to have to make some of these soon to get this peepery out of my system.
Shannon Wirth
Joy! Can I just say you make me laugh pretty much every post. I really relate to your sense of humor in story telling and recipe sharing, etc…………I’d definitely be your friend – even if you didn’t make me preztel dogs (but that would be lovely too!)
Thanks for being you!
Shannon
Marilyn
“…stalkers of the feline variety.” LOL
Ahh..Joy….I love you.
Jennifer
Those are really that easy to make?! And, I think your story would make a great picture book… I’d be friends with *almost* anyone who offered me a tasty pretzal dog :)
Heather
Yum! I love anything that involves a soft, warm pretzel! I love your pictures with the cat in them… very cute! Thanks for the great post.
Shalan with the Long Road
Good Lord, I’ve been attempting to figure out a way to make vegan versions of these things all day. I will succeed!
Kaitlin Guidarelli
Hi Joy!
Just a thought:
I would surely follow you into the land of homemade beer-mustard recipes if you decided to go there. Just think of all the fun adventures ahead! And, of course, tasting/drinking as you go . . .
Cheers (preemptively)
Ashley
These look and sound so good! And like so much fun to make. I must make them. I love the kitten head photo!
Jenna
I love pretzels, but I’m not too big on meat. I wonder what else these could be filled with? Probably lots of yummy combinations…
Susy
Hi Joy, I don’t have a Kitchenaid mixer with a dough attachment, just an electric hand mixer. Would I still be able to make this recipe?
Jess
I, too, want to know how to do it without an attachment! Would I just knead until it’s smooth?
Jillian@TheHumbleGourmet
I’ve been looking for a good pretzel recipe for awhile now, but the addition of hot dogs just completely elevated what is already a ridiculously delicious snack. Yum!
Jennifer Farley (@jwfarley)
bread, salt, pork, YUM!
MM
The reason I don’t eat people’s homemade goods at work is for this reason exactly. People let their cats up on the counter where they’re baking. Gross.
Melissa @ Journey to Marvelous
These look awesome! I’ve never made pretzels at home before, but it’s worth giving it a shot….PS. Your kitten peeking up over the side of the table in that last picture is *hilarious*!
Kristin @ FoodFash
You’re right, the brown, fluffy pretzel-ness is intimidating! I’ll have to give these a try when I’m settled in Austin and looking to make new neighbor friends!!
Jen
This recipe makes me want to not be vegetarian any more…
Shushmi
That last pic there with kitty creepily hovering in the background had me in stitches. well not entirely cos i was at work so had to giggle internally! tee hee hee. i didnt even notice him at first then BAM i saw him. *giggles all over again*.
Megs @ Little Stirrings
I’m going to join in the chorus with everyone else and cast my vote that these look to die for, and I thoroughly plan on making them for the Superbowl. However, after scanned through the other comments, I didn’t see if anyone else asked this – do you freeze them after they’re already fully baked? I have a friend who makes the pretzel dough, freezes it, and THEN pulls them out to do the boiling water/baking portion. If these are a freeze-fully-ready….I’m so beyond sold. :)
joythebaker
yes! freeze them after they’re full baked then reheat them in foil. you could even thaw them in the fridge (after they’re frozen) and reheat in the oven wrapped in foil.
Jen @ Eat. Swim. Shop.
These look fantastic! There is an Amish market near our house that has amazing pretzel dogs — so amazing that my husband will totally get up and get dressed to go to the store on a Saturday morning so he can stand in the super long line to get one. We always get the one with cheese in it, though… maybe I could just wrap a little cheese around the hot dog when rolling the dough around it?
Jeff @ Cheese-Burger.net
I’m going with the pretzel. It’s very easy and fun to make.
Becca-cookie jar treats
I think you should finish that book. I would totally buy it <3. I've never had a pretzel dog but it looks delicious:D
Alexis
Please continue to post photos of your cat stalking things. Please.
popmistress
These look amazing. They may just inspire me to get over my aversion to bread (and bread-type products) baking.
CulinarilyCourtney
I just about died seeing those adorable pictures of your kitty! Is it bad that I enjoy coming to your site as much for the pictures of your cat as for the pictures of your tasty recipes? #futurecatlady
Lindsay
Do you think I could fill them with cheese? Would the process still be the same? I just really, really want cheese pretzel bread…
Lindsay
*cheesy :)
joythebaker
I worry that cheese would melt and ooze.
Tracy
Try this: select a flavor of individually wrapped cheese sticks that you like (I know this might not be your ideal cheese, but some, such as cheddar jack, are actually pretty tasty). They are the perfect “girth” for a project such as this, and I often use this method when I’m worried that the cheese I am using as a substitute for meat will ooze. Unwrap all the cheese sticks, cut them into thirds or halves, whichever you like, and freeze them on a cookie sheet. Wrap the frozen cheese in the pretzel dough just before baking. The dough browns, and the cheese ends up perfect. Give it a go!
Tracy
*boiling…and then baking
Lindsay
Joy, I didn’t even think of that (my love of cheese got in the way of my reasoning skills). Tracy, thanks you! I’ll give that a try.
Sarah-Anne
YUM!
Monica @ Soirees & Such
you always make me salivate! I’m making these this weekend!
Lydia Grace
Tehehe, I love your kitty! Your photography/recipe/kitten/awesomeness is so inspiring! Thank you!!
Steph (whisk/spoon)
God, I love that little cat face peeking up in the last picture. I’m confident my husband will require these for super bowl snacks when I show him this post.
tora
I love the picture with your cat eyeing up the sausage! xx
next2mee.blogspot.com x
Jessica @ Hungrygems
I would be the first in line to befriend this skillful pretzel-wrapping fiend!…..oh, I mean friend. This means me vs you pretty little kitty, vying for the friend slot. Saunter silently away from the doughy goodness and no claws will come out… Mmmm…
Briel K.
I love your cat. My kittens are always getting in my way in the kitchen too! Silly little guys.
These look so yum! Saving the recipe!
Rachael S
My 2 favorite snacks, pretzels and hot dogs. I cant wait to try this…thank you for sharing!
Living The Sweet Life
Pretzel dough makes the world SUCH a better place!! Delicious recipe :) and I’d totally be anyone’s friend that make these little puppies.
Erika
Ha! I LOVE seeing pictures featuring your cat; such a beautiful kitty! I hope he got at least one pretzel dog :)
Krissy's Creations
What a great item to serve at the Superbowl {or really just any time or day}! I love how the dough is a pretzel dough and not the basic bread dough. Love this recipe Joy!
Natalia
I would totally be your friend. I am making these when there are other people around so I don’t eat them all!
Em (Wine and Butter)
I NEED these with a ton of saurkraut, spicy mustard, those fried pickles, Iced Tea (peach with vodka in it) and ALL my friends. Youre obviously invited!!
Gary
Haha! That kitten in the last photo is hilarious :D
Stephie @ Eat Your Heart Out
Haha, your cat reminds me of my cat. Sometimes when I am photographing a recipe I have to lock her in the bedroom to keep her from “helping”
jenny
These look delish! Is it possible to make the dough, wrap the hot dogs, and then freeze without boiling and baking first? How would I defrost and carryout the rest of the steps? Thanks!
Sally @ Spontaneous Hausfrau
How durned perfect are these? Very.
Anna @ the shady pine
My cat Coco is just as curious when I am cooking and it is this curiosity that draws me to cats :)
I am so making these pretzel dogs for the next kiddy birthday party. Only I better make a batch just to ‘test’ them out first if you know what I mean.
Alexandra
I was having a not-so-great day until I saw this post, and while I was excited about the pretzels (ahh-mazing!), it’s the pictures of kitty that made my day/made my heart puke a little. What a sweet angel!!! So intrigued by the happenings in the kitchen. Thanks Joy, and kiss your kittens sweet little face for me.
Much love
Julia {The Roasted Root}
As a HUGE fan of all things hot dog and sausage-like in nature, I applaud your creations. I also must say, CUTE cat! I have a soft spot for orange and white kitties.
Cel
LOVE the last pic with Kitten in the background! “Back off kitten!” Hilarious!
Gen
What a nice way of making hot dogs!
Mondo
you’ve really out done yourself, Joy.
Anne P
I love the picture of your cat watching the dough! So cute.
Elle
I love how your cat always try to sneak in :D
Renee
I love how the cat keeps trying to get into the action:) These look delicious – might have to give it a whirl. Thanks for sharing!
Chef Johnny
Wow. Great looking pretzels. We offer sea salt flakes and they come in many flavors and are all natural. Take a look at our web store. These might be perfect for the pretzel dogs.
https://bit.ly/A161tz
Sarah
Thanks for sharing! I will be making these this weekend for sure!
p.s. I love all the pictures with your kitten nosing around in there!
Lisa
OHHHHHH!! these look SOOO yummy! i have a 6-year-old who will go bonkers for this morsel of yumminess! and he’ll love that it’s coming from your site (he has a bit of a crush on you and your food =) just a question, for those of us who don’t have stand mixers (too little space in our cozy kitchen) will a hand mixer suffice? silly question, possibly, but breads tend to intimidate me so i don’t usually try my hand at them.
Stephie @ Eat Your Heart Out
I also do not own a stand mixer (I always take the opportunity to use my mom’s when I visit my parents, though, haha), so when I make yeast doughs I mix and knead them by hand. Pull out that forearm strength to mix your dough together, and then dump it out and knead it on a floured surface until it comes together (aka, looks like Joy’s). It’s a little bit more work, obviously, but I usually find it to be worth it =)
Lisa
thanks, stephie! i might just substituted dough kneading with my (supposedly) daily weight session … hmmm, in my mind it’s a good trade off. =)
Lori @ Lemons and Lavender
Total weakness. I’m in!
Nina @ ambrosia
Mmm, the combination of pretzel dough and hot dogs is the best, you just can’t beat it. I want one right nowwww…
Mallory
As a vegetarian the hot dogs aren’t doing it for me but I have been wanting to make homemade pretzels for some time. Judging by the pictures this dough recipe looks like a winner. Thanks Joy!
Elle of Chellbellz
I need to host something! I want to make these, they look so yummy…and I’m sure they are better then anything a pretzel shop at the mall can make.
CarolinaGirl
These look awesome! Can’t wait to try them!
Lynne @ 365 Days of Baking
Oh, Joy, these look amazing! The pictures with the cat literally had me LOLing!
Nicole K
I am still trying to figure out how to pronounce “lonleyia”…please help!
PS these look DELISH!
JenMarie
This looks easy! I always thought pretzels were harder than this!
My kids’ll love this!
Nikki
I need these in my mouth this second. With Tobasco and a Dab of ketchup
Courtney @ Bake.Eat.Repeat.
Pretzel dogs need a serious redemption in our house and these may be just the thing. We bought a box of pretzel dogs from my niece during her school fundraiser (I never should have trusted this, but it was my niece…what else was I going to do?) They were gross…and that’s the nicest, mildest word I could think of to describe them. These look about 1.8 million times better than the half empty box getting freezer burnt right now.
Shannon
Bagel dogs?! These sound so amazing. I know everyone loves pigs in a blanket, but the pastry is never salty enough for me. A pretzel is the perfect remedy.
Sara {Home is Where the Cookies Are}
These look so fun! I be the kids would LOVE to help roll and wrap the dough. It’s great that they can be frozen and reheated too. Thanks for the super idea!
Athena
First time commenter on your blog but have been stalking thru my Reader :) Your writing always cheers me up and your pics make me hungry, all the time. I cracked up on that last shot though, it’s like you’re looking at these awesome pretzel dogs and your eyes move over and, bam! There’s a cat-stalker in the shadows! Made my day :)
Robyn
kitten photobomb!
Melanie
Joy these look terrific! I’d love to try to make them for my husband since he loves “pigs in a blanket” but also loves pretzels (he’s from Philly).
Quick question – is it best to use parchment or can I use my silpat for baking?
Oh and I love your kitty! One of mine sits by my feet anytime I’m in the kitchen – sweet :-)
Thanks!
Kristi @ 30 Pounds of Apples
I always love your food. I always love your humor. But truly, my favorite part of your blog is watching your cat’s constant food stalking. Best lovely assistant EVER.
VA DE PAN
Great story and…I take the second option!!!I ‘can’t wait to make and taste this awesome recipe!!!!
Nicole
I don’t know what you have in store for two days from now but this is definitely my dream post come true. Like can’t get any better. I work in a mall and almost every break I run up to Pretzel Time (similar to Auntie Annie’s) and get a pretzeldog with lemonade to make the day seem better/faster/shorter.
NicoleD
The picture of the pretty dough trailing behind half-wrapped dogs is just magic.
Amanda
a) I want to steal your cat. I won’t because I already have four but gosh he is the cutest (and I officially cannot be called a cat lady because I just got married. those are the rules right?)
b) Do you have a recommendation to replace the egg wash with something… vegan? I was thinking maybe some melted vegan butter (like earth balance)?
joythebaker
melted vegan butter might do… do a test one and see how it goes.
Elizabeth @ Chronic Venture
I need these!!! super bowl snacks anyone??
Lori M
Your cat is killing me. I love him.
The dogs look pretty good, too :o)
jenny
I pretty much could eat these every day of the week. and I pretty much want them now. WOW.
p.s. I love you, too.
Jenna Stratman
These are too perfect for our super bowl party!! Homemade is 100 times better than store bought. :) And thanks for the great pictures for clarification!
Emma
I have to say, I’m not usually a cat person, but the utter cuteness of your cat makes me kind of want one. I don’t suppose you have any exact replicas lying around?
Meg H.
My husband loves pretzel dogs – I never thought to make them though. Awesome idea – and perfect for the “game” this weekend. That would be my 9 year old daughter’s indoor soccer game on Friday night! I am going to try and make the pretzels sourdough since I have to feed my starter anyways. Again, another awesome idea!!
Urban Wife
I love your Kitten. That last picture really cracked me up, with Kitten peering up over the suitcase as if to say “let me in on the action, woman”.
Rachael B
“She made special treats, that couldn’t be beat, all the while being so witty. And in the end, she made lots of friends, even with her bright, orange kitty.” I vote the next cookbook continue from these adventures lol.
sherri @ the life of a wife
Perfect for superbowl! And choose your own adventures are my favorite stories.
Tommy
HOT dog! I’m going to be fantasizing about (dreaming of? obsessing over?) these little puppies until I make them. Great stuff.
Sarah
These look amazing and sciency! I’m wondering, what can you use if you don’t have a dough hook? And what else can you put inside? Mmm
Sarah @ See Sarah Bake
Well, you just solved my “what to bring to a superbowl party of all dudes” dilemma. And this why I love you
Heather (Heather's Dish)
WIN! i adore hot dogs, and anything mini-sized? well, let’s just say no self control. the end.
The Experimental Cook
I love this fairy tale. The ending can’t be better. I am not a hot dog person but I should probably try this one out.
Heather @girlichef
This makes me want to cry. Hello, friend…
Julie H. of Spinach and Sprinkles
All you need is some pictures and that book is completer :) It doesn’t even need a chapter two!
Julie @Savvy Eats
I LOVE making soft pretzels. But I’ve never put hot dogs inside. this must change soon!
Shanna
My favorite part of this, besides the pretzels of course, is Kitten. Cute addition!
Lauren at Keep It Sweet
I get that I should share these… but not sure I’d want to!
Blog is the New Black
Such a brilliant idea!
Kathryn
I love any food that doesn’t require a knife and fork to eat. Thanks Joy.
lem monade
from the moment i saw peeks of these in your instagram feed i started checking your website even more often than usual – and finally here they are, looking all awesome and perfect and delicious (and really not that hard to make)! they are going right on my “what? there’s a ball game? i just made all that food for a normal lazy sunday”-list…
also, that last photo with jules peeking out behind the table, eyeing the pretzel dogs – priceless :)
Maggie @ A Bitchin' Kitchin
I know cats are downright impossible to boss around…but if you could convince Kitten to make an appearance in every post, that would be swell. He’s just too darn cute.
Also, these are my new favorite food, even though I haven’t made them yet. I just sense it.
Ann P.
A masterpiece in the way of superbowl foods!! I would probably need to make a triple batch of these, seeing as I’ll eat half a batch all by myself. :)
Laura
These look delish. I make pigs in blankets with veggie dogs all the time. I’m going to try these, subbing veggie dogs as well and see how a meatless version comes out. Thanks!
lidia@ sugarslut
i just made your chocolate beet cake and it came out fab!
so yummy and the color as amazing!!!
can’t wait to give these a try,
thanks joy (:
Alexis
Joy,
I consider myself a staunch vegetarian. That is, until a situation presents itself that makes me question my life choices. This, THIS! is one of those situations. Thank you for this. I will enjoy and will not regret. x
Elle
sorry if this is a silly question – but I assume the hotdogs are not precooked – am I right?
And the boiling+baking time is enough for them to be properly cooked?
joythebaker
the hot dogs are precooked.
Melissa
boiled! what a novel idea!
Jessie
Haha that last pic with kitty is hilarious!
Jenny
I’m a veg, too, but man do these look good!
Jessica
That last photo has me laughing out loud!
I think somebody likes those mini pretzel dogs even more than you. haha
Fashion tidbits
this recipe is just tooo sweet. :)
I don’t even eat hotdogs but i think they just look too adorable to pass up!
Katherine @ eggton
You know what I love about this post? Obviously the pretzel dogs, because mustard is a beautiful thing. But also: you can totally tell that you had so much fun photographing it. The playfulness really shines through the pictures, and that’s just neat to see.
joythebaker
that is such a lovely thing to say! thank you!
Gabs
We love you, too, Joy:) This post made me laugh, seeing your cat popping in and out of the pics. hilarious. Wish we could be friends in real life. You’re a hoot.
Beth
I need these in my life in a big way.
Also, do you watch the new Sherlock on the BBC? If no, get on that, and if yes, the look on your cat’s face in he last picture in your post reminds me of the Hounds of the Baskervilles episode. And now I need a safety blanket.
Carrie
Ha ha ha!!!! Your cat is killing me in these photos! I love it! None of my recipes would be complete without a couple kitty furs floating on in (hope the guests don’t notice!) And even though they are totally annoying walking across the counters, tipping stuff over, nearly burning their paws on the stove etc- I love that they want to be in there with me and be part of the kitchen scene :) Your cats appearances are just one reason I love your blog!
Becca @ Cook, Rejoice, Repeat
No way! Baking soda?! I had no idea! I’m putting pretzels on my cooking bucket list right away.
Shawna @ CheekyChicFamily
Perfect football party finger food. Perfect guy good (that can be enjoyed by girls too). Perfect for the picky kids who will also be attending my party! Yay Joy, you have helping me have the most successful Superbowl party e.v.e.r.
Marleena @ The Flex Foodie
Yum! Looks delish! I love your little kitty – someday I’ll have my own (just trying to convince my dog-loving boyfriend that he love it too!) Pretzel bread always looks like it’s so much more complicated to make than it actually is.
Emily M.
that shot with your cat peeking at the pretzel dogs is fabulous. printing out recipe, hoping i can make these tomorrow for my husband’s book club!!
Natashia@foodonpaper
That dough is amazing!! Why does my dough never look that good?! :( I’m going to have to try this recipe just for that dough alone, and the fact they look awesome.
Archer
love the kitty peeper!
Sara @ The Little Bite
You’re totally my hero right now.
Katie
My god, you read my mind. I was just going to look up how to make these. Thanks!
Mary @ Bake Break
Seriously girl crush going on here – you just keep amazing me, Joy! I love reading your hilarious stories, they really make your blog so much more than the others. The pretzel dogs are wonderful too!
Laura @ Sweet Life à la Carte
Loving lurking kitten in the background of the last picture : )
Amanda Bimble
Hello flavour town! These are just too cute for words! And I really love the idea of making pretzel dough for them from scratch. Totes will make me look all professional like.
Liz @ Tip Top Shape
These are adorable!!! I suspect they are delicious, too…
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen
I’ve never seen a more perfect looking ball of dough before! I definitely DO want to rest my head it that :)
Adrienne @ How to Ice a Cake
I’m vegetarian but these still look delightful! I love love love the stalker kitty by the way. Acts just like my boy! Those long haired boys are hard to keep watch of :D
Cassie
I think I just died. Holy wow.
Hannah
Oh. My. This is glorious. There is a ridiculous hotdog stand at the fair in Vancouver and they serve their hotdogs on pretzel buns. I’ve been craving one ever since summer and this is perfect!
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga
Joy these are so creative! When I saw all these…wieners…. :) on your Instagram feed, I was having quite a laugh. Yes, I am juvenile apparently.
And I love the first picture. Not sure if that’s a paper bag, burlap, some kind of cloth..but whatever it is, I really dig the surface/texture + the lighting. Great shot!
Connie @ Daydream In Color
These look amazingly delicious! I love soft pretzels & I already know I wouldn’t be able to stop eating those if I made them…
Michelle
My goodness woman! This is brilliant!
ileana
Cute!
Becca
OMG. Little pretzel mummies with hot dog insides…. L O V E !
Jen
I’ve made the Alton Brown pretzels three times now–I adore soft pretzels, warm and salty and buttery. But I still haven’t gotten creative with the recipe yet (regular old pretzels are just so good!), but your mini pretzel dogs look really yummy. I might have to whip up a batch for myself now.
fabiola
I am going to need that RIGHT NOW! No joke…
Andrea
Perfect Super Bowl food! I think my toddler will swoon…..
oystercracker
joy, you are hitting it out of the park with your entries this week. i knew that checking this site 5, 6, maybe even 12 times a day isn’t excessive. no, not when rewarded by entries like this. last night i made the kale with coconut chips for a friend, and it sent her straight into an epiphany–her own words. this weekend i am making the chocolate beet cake–and toying with the idea of a german chocolate cake style filling for the middle. thank you for making the world a more awesome place with your site!!
Kim @ Spoonful of Sass
Love that your cat always makes an appearance. Heaven forbid they aren’t the center of attention! Mine are the same way!
PS- I think I’ll make these pretzel dogs this weekend, but not to share with friends, cause I’ll probably eat them all by myself before anyone else could step near them! :)