Soft Pretzels and Spicy Beer Cheese

Get ready to taste Southern flavors, a little spice, and a lot of yumminess! I am so excited to share this delicious recipe with you guys because it is AMAZING and SO EASY. The pretzels take around 1 hour 30 minutes but 1 hour of that is resting time. The beer cheese takes only 10 minutes and I cannot get over the flavors. Savory, spicy, and sharp - this beer cheese is to die for. The pretzels are fluffy, salty, and crazy addictive. Let’s get started!

Recipe for 8 large Pretzels

Ingredients:

For the Pretzels:

1 & 1/2 cup warm water (around 110-120 degrees F)

2 tbsp sugar

2 tsp salt

1 package of active dry yeast

4 & 1/2 cups flour

half a stick of butter, melted

1/2 cup baking soda (to put into boiling water)

1 egg for egg wash

Desired topping (salt, cinnamon-sugar, everything bagel etc)

For the Beer Cheese:

3 tbsp butter

3 tbsp flour

8 oz grated sharp cheddar

8 oz grated gruyere

3/4 cup desired beer (I used an IPA for extra flavor)

1/4 cup whole milk

2 tsp southwest spice

2 tsp cayenne pepper

3 tsp dijon mustard

Directions for Pretzels:

1. Put the yeast, sugar & water into a small bowl and mix. Let sit for 5 minutes.

2. Add the rest of your dough ingredients to a mixing bowl with a dough hook attachment and pour in the yeast mix. Mix for 5~ minutes or until smooth & combined.

   a. NOTE: If you don’t have a dough hook, you can combine and then knead for around 15 minutes.

3. Form the dough into a ball and place in an oiled ball. Cover with a damp rag and let sit in a warm area of your kitchen for one hour.

4. Preheat your oven to 450 degrees F and get a large pot of water to a boil. Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to the boiling water.

5. Cut the dough into 8 pieces.

6. Roll each piece into a skinny rope and form into a pretzel shape.

   a. NOTE: It is so easy to shape pretzels. Watch the Youtube video I linked or form into an upside down U shape, twist the ends twice, and flip.

7. Boil the pretzels for 30 seconds on each side and place onto a prepared baking sheet.

8. Brush egg wash and toppings onto the pretzels and bake for 12-15 minutes. They will look golden brown.

9. Enjoy!

Directions for Beer Cheese:

1. Place butter onto a pan at medium heat. Add flour and whisk to combine.

2. Add your beer, and then the rest of the ingredients.

3. Cook until creamy and put on a simmer while still mixing.

4. Take off the heat and serve! Enjoy!