Cheese Pretzel Sticks
Source: adapted from Guy Fieri soft pretzel recipe
3/4 cup warm water
2 tsp dry yeast
2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 egg, separated
1 1/2 cups grated sharp Cheddar
1 T water
1 tsp kosher salt
In a glass measuring cup, add the warm water and the yeast. Stir and let sit for 10 minutes.
Combine flour, 1/2 tsp salt, sugar and cayenne pepper in bowl, stir in yeast/water mixture and egg yolk.
Mix until too hard to stir, then turn out onto floured board and knead until combined and smooth. Add more flour or water if needed.
Roll out dough to a 12 by 17-inch rectangle, about 1/4-inch thick. Sprinkle 3/4 cup of the Cheddar in the middle (short way). Fold 1/3 of the dough over, and sprinkle with 3/4 cup of the Cheddar. Fold the last third over and pinch the edges closed. Roll with a rolling pin to form an 11 by 15-inch rectangle. Cut into strips.
Roll each strip into a log (or make into a pretzel) and place on silicone line baking mat.
Beat the remaining egg white and the water together. Brush dough with the egg mixture and then sprinkle evenly with the kosher salt.
Bake at 425 until nicely browned, about 16 to 18 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool. Serve warm or room temperature.