Pretzel Crust Recipes

Steps:

• Make the crust: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment.
• In the bowl of a food processor fitted with a blade attachment, pulse the pretzels until they're finely ground but not turned to dust. Some pretzel pieces should still be intact. Transfer the pretzel bits to a large bowl. Add the melted butter and brown sugar to the crushed pretzels and stir to combine.
• Place a 9-inch tart pan with removable bottom on the prepared sheet and, using a spoon, fill with the pretzel mixture and shape it so the edges are crisp and it's about 1/4 inch thick all over. Bake for 12 to 16 minutes and cool in the pan on a wire rack.
• Make the filling: Put a damp kitchen towel under a large bowl and whisk together the sugar, cornstarch and salt. (The towel will ensure the bowl doesn't slide around.)
• In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, warm the milk until it is above room temperature, about 4 minutes. With one hand, start whisking the cornstarch mixture; with the other hand, slowly drizzle the hot milk into the bowl, whisking until all the milk is incorporated.
• Pour the entire mixture back into the saucepan and cook on medium heat until the filling is thick, 2 to 3 minutes. Don't let it boil.
• Using a rubber spatula, pour the filling into a bowl, then stir in the butter and vanilla until the butter is melted and fully incorporated. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, pressing down to make sure that the wrap and the pudding are touching. Refrigerate until it is cool to touch.
• Make the butterscotch sauce: Clip a candy thermometer to a large saucepan. Add the brown sugar, corn syrup, salt and 3/4 cup of cream to the pan and heat over medium-high heat until it boils, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Turn the heat down to medium-low and slowly heat the sauce until it reaches 234 degrees F, about 10 minutes.
• When the sauce reaches 234 degrees F, take it off the stove and let it cool for 5 minutes. Pour the sauce into a large bowl. Slowly stir in the butter until incorporated with a wooden spoon. Carefully drizzle in the remaining cream and the vanilla while stirring constantly. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and set aside.
• Make the tart: Arrange half of the banana slices and chocolate chips if using in the bottom of the tart shell. Pour about half of the filling into the tart shell and spread it around evenly. Eat the remaining pudding with a spoon. (It tastes better if you share.)
• Arrange the rest of the bananas and chocolate chips if using on the top of the pastry cream. Put the tart shell in the fridge until you're ready to finish the tart.
• Make the topping: In the bowl of a stand mixer with the whisk attachment, whip the cream cheese until it is light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the confectioners' sugar, vanilla and salt and continue to whip, scraping down the sides as needed, until the mixture is well combined, about 1 minute.
• With the mixer speed on low, drizzle in the cream. Increase the speed and whisk, scraping down the sides as needed, until stiff peaks form, about 2 minutes. Detach the bowl from the mixer and set aside.
• Finish the tart: Remove the tart shell from the fridge. Using a rubber spatula, generously cover the tart with the topping. Artfully drizzle the butterscotch sauce over the pie.
• Using a cheese grater, rasp grater or vegetable peeler, shave milk chocolate over the tart. Slice and serve with more butterscotch sauce.

Steps:

• For the pretzel crust: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Crush the pretzels in a large resealable plastic bag with a rolling pin. Mix in a bowl with the butter and brown sugar. Press into a pie pan and bake for 8 minutes. Remove and set aside to cool.
• For the strawberry filling: Put 1 1/2 cups water, the granulated sugar, cornstarch and gelatin powder in a saucepan. Stir together and bring to a boil. Cook until it starts to thicken, then remove from the heat.
• Put the strawberries in a bowl and pour over the sauce, gently tossing together. Allow to cool slightly, then carefully pile the coated strawberries into the cooled pie crust. Spoon over any leftover sauce and refrigerate, uncovered, for 4 hours.
• Pour the cream into the bowl of a mixer, and use the whisk attachment to whisk until billowy. Top the pie with a huge layer of whipped cream, spooned on with a big spoon.

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 400 degrees and grease the inside of a 9-inch, deep pie dish with butter and set aside.
• In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, or in a medium bowl using a handheld electric mixer, beat the 14 tablespoons butter, ½ cup confectioners' sugar, ground pretzels, flour, baking soda and salt on low speed until just combined, then increase the speed to high and continue to beat until you get a soft, cohesive dough. Gather the dough and transfer it to the pie pan. Using your fingers, press the mixture evenly across the bottom and up the sides of the dish. Bake until the crust is slightly puffed and deep golden brown in color, 12 to 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool while you make the filling.
• In the stand mixer with a paddle attachment, or in a large bowl using a handheld electric mixer, beat the cream cheese on high for 1 minute to soften. Turn off the mixer. Add 1½ cups confectioners' sugar, and continue beating on low speed until combined. Stop to scrape down the sides of the bowl, then beat on high until fluffy, about 2 minutes. If using a stand mixer, switch to the whisk attachment. With the mixer running on low speed, slowly add the heavy whipping cream, a splash at a time, beating well after each addition until the mixture is smooth. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, increase speed to high and beat until billowy and whipped, about 2 more minutes. Transfer to the cooled crust and spread in an even layer. Refrigerate until ready to serve, or chill for 2 hours to allow the pie to firm up for slicing.
• Add the remaining 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar to the sliced strawberries and toss to coat, then pile the strawberries on top of the pie. Serve immediately.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°.
• Crush pretzels in a blender.
• Add sugar and butter and Mix well.
• Press into a 9 inch pie plate.
• Bake at 350° for 8 minutes and cool.
• Add desired filling.

Steps:

• In a stand mixer, stir together warm water, sugar and yeast; let stand until foamy, 4-5 minutes. Add flour and 1 teaspoon table salt. Using a dough hook, mix on low speed until dough comes together, 1-2 minutes. Increase speed to medium and mix for an additional 5 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 45 minutes., Preheat oven to 425°. Punch down dough; press into a 12-in. circle onto an ungreased 14-in. pizza pan. Let stand 10 minutes. Stir together hot water and baking soda; brush mixture over outer 1-in. Let stand 5 minutes; repeat. Sprinkle coarse salt over edge. , Spread queso dip over inside of crust. Top with cheese and pepperoni. Bake until crust is golden brown and cheese is melted, 16-18 minutes. Brush crust with melted butter before serving.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Lightly coat 3 baking sheets with cooking spray.
• Place warm water into a measuring cup and stir in sugar to dissolve. Stir in yeast and set aside until foamy, about 10 minutes.
• Place flour, olive oil, and salt into a large bowl and stir to combine. Mix in yeast mixture and beat with an electric mixer until smooth, about 5 minutes.
• Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and divide into 3 equal portions. Roll each portion into an 8-inch disc and place on the prepared baking sheets. Let rest for 10 minutes.
• Heat at least 3 inches of water in a wide, deep pot over high heat; bring to a boil. Add baking soda slowly and carefully into the water, as this will foam and rise. Reduce heat to medium, and add 1 dough disc to the pot; cook for 30 to 40 seconds. Remove disc using 2 spatulas or slotted spoons and transfer back to the baking sheet. Repeat with remaining discs. Gently blot discs with paper towels to remove any excess water. Brush lightly with butter and sprinkle with kosher salt.
• Bake crusts in the preheated oven until golden, about 10 minutes. Remove from the oven; add pizza sauce and mozzarella cheese to each crust.
• Return pizzas to the oven and bake until cheese has melted and is golden, 10 to 15 minutes.