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Savory Baseball Game Soft Pretzels with Creamy Beer Cheese

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Easy and perfect homemade soft pretzels paired with a rich, velvety beer cheese dip, ideal for casual get-togethers and game days.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour (480 g)
  • 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (one packet)
  • 1 ½ cups warm water (355 ml, about 110°F/43°C)
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • ½ cup baking soda (120 g)
  • 10 cups water (2.4 liters) for boiling
  • 2 tablespoons coarse sea salt or pretzel salt
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter (for brushing)
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (about 200 g)
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened (115 g)
  • ½ cup beer (120 ml, mild lager or amber ale recommended)
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Activate the yeast: In a large bowl, combine warm water (110°F/43°C), sugar, and yeast. Stir gently and let sit for 5-7 minutes until foamy.
  2. Make the dough: Add flour, salt, and melted butter to the yeast mixture. Stir and knead for 5-7 minutes until smooth and slightly tacky but not sticky.
  3. Let the dough rise: Shape dough into a ball, place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
  4. Preheat oven to 450°F (232°C). Bring 10 cups water and ½ cup baking soda to a rolling boil in a large pot.
  5. Shape the pretzels: Punch down dough, divide into 8 equal pieces (~110 g each). Roll each into a 20-inch rope and form classic pretzel shapes.
  6. Boil pretzels: Lower each pretzel into boiling baking soda water for 30 seconds using a slotted spoon. Remove and place on prepared baking sheet.
  7. Sprinkle and bake: Brush pretzels with melted butter, sprinkle with coarse salt, and bake for 12-14 minutes until deep golden brown.
  8. Prepare beer cheese dip: In a small saucepan over low heat, combine shredded cheddar, cream cheese, beer, garlic powder, onion powder, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and pepper. Stir constantly until smooth and melted (5-7 minutes). Do not boil.
  9. Serve warm: Let pretzels cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes, then serve with the creamy beer cheese dip.

Notes

Use a mild lager or amber ale for the beer cheese dip to avoid overpowering bitterness. Boil pretzels in baking soda water for signature crust and color. Brush with melted butter after baking for shine and flavor. Dough can be prepared ahead and refrigerated overnight. Dip can be kept warm on low heat or in a slow cooker. Leftover pretzels store well for 2 days at room temperature; dip refrigerates for 3 days.

Nutrition

Keywords: soft pretzels, beer cheese dip, game day snack, homemade pretzels, savory snack, baseball snack, easy pretzels

Find it online: https://lucydishes.com/savory-baseball-game-soft-pretzels-with-creamy-beer-cheese-recipe-easy-and-perfect/