Would you consider coming to a birthday where these soft pretzels with spicy beer cheese sauce are served? Even though said pretzels are not as soft, but just amazing-tasting, as the title implies they should be? And if that’s the case and you want to have options, and I tell you there are more than sixty other alternatives to choose from, would you come?
The Sunday Supper table made up of amazing bloggers that got me ankle deep into this magic world of food blogging, is celebrating it’s birthday number 1 with a party! And really, you would be crazy not to come.
After all, this is like the party that sums the usual party we have every Sunday, with a list of recipes taken from past events, each being made as is or with whatever modifications, by another fellow sunday supperer. Sort of a greatest hits album.
I made up my mind pretty quickly about choosing this recipe from Heather of Girlichef. She is a friend and an oh-so-talented baker. And baking is my thing.
Even if right now you’re thinking these pretzels don’t scream that baking is my thing, because they are not plump enough or soft enough, though how can you know how soft they are if you can’t touch them, but I can also tell they are not as soft as they should, baking is my thing.
The recipe is very straightforward and comes together quickly. I think I should’ve added more flour while kneading it. Rookie mistake.
I decided to do it in two batches, sort of a first batch to practice on. I’m glad I did, and you should be glad too since those first pretzels were too big, hardly pretzel-shaped, not golden enough and very unphotogenic. Oh, but they tasted good. Just like a salted pretzel should.
The second try came out as good as I can hope for given the fact that it’s my first time and don’t usually eat pretzels, except when I travel to NYC and think having one with mustard from a street cart to be an unavoidable thing to do in that city. Pretzels are not known here, they might be sold somewhere but I haven’t bumped into them yet.
As with any yeast dough that needs to be shaped, from a simple brioche a tete to a braided danish, practice is all you need. Don’t expect your first pretzel to be perfect.
A food blog comes in quite handy on that matter, because when I’m baking a new recipe I will try again and again until I have something that is worthy of a picture, though it might not be exactly what I want it will definitely be post worthy.
I made the pretzels following the original recipe, and changed the sauce just a bit to suit the fact that I was by myself and didn’t want to make another trip to the supermarket nor have a lot of extra sauce lying around.
These are so addictive with that perfect dipping sauce that’s almost like a spicy fondue, having so much of it would’ve meant having soft pretzels with spicy beer cheese sauce for every meal two days in a row, and I still want to fit in my bikini the rest of the summer. And I’m trying to eat healthier. Ha.
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Soft Pretzels with Spicy Beer Cheese Sauce
- Yield: 8 pretzels 1x
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Ingredients
- Soft pretzels (find recipe here)
For the sauce:
- ½ cup beer (I used Stella Artois)
- 2 Tbs sour cream
- 2 teaspoons minced pickled jalapeños
- 1 cup grated Gruyere cheese (loosely packed)
- 1 garlic clove (peeled and cut in half)
- Salt and black pepper
Instructions
- Heat beer in small saucepan.
- When it starts to bubble, add rest of ingredients and whisk until well combined.
- Let boil for 1 minute and serve with warm pretzels.
Veronica Gantley says
January 13, 2013 at 21:29Girlichef has so many wonderful recipes. I know it was hard to choose but that dip looks amazing with your pretels.
Brandie @ Home Cooking Memories says
January 13, 2013 at 21:08Gosh, I wanted to make these when I first saw it on Heather's site, but now you've made me hungry for them all over again! Great job…pinned on Pinterest.
Martin D says
January 13, 2013 at 20:45Yum! Wish I'd had some of these yesterday when I gathered 'round the ole TV to watch my SF Forty Niners!
Guru Uru says
January 13, 2013 at 19:54These pretzels look heavenly my friend, and your photography is incredible 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Jen @JuanitasCocina says
January 13, 2013 at 18:53Oh yes, I could eat all of these. And I do mean all.
Sue/the view from great island says
January 13, 2013 at 18:43The fondue style sauce is brilliant! These look perfect.
Amanda says
January 13, 2013 at 18:05yum, yum. What a great tailgating food!
Marissa | Pinch and Swirl says
January 13, 2013 at 17:56These are hands-down the most gorgeous pretzels I've ever seen. Bookmarked! My husbands birthday is tomorrow and mine is on Wednesday. I think we should treat ourselves to these. You're amazing!
Tara says
January 13, 2013 at 17:45Just may have to make these very soon for Super Bowl, mmmmm can't wait!!
Stacy says
January 13, 2013 at 17:33Count me in because I would definitely come to the party for these pretzels and their spicy beer cheese sauce, Paula! They came out beautifully!
Soni says
January 13, 2013 at 17:21I love the addition of Jalapenos in this!! Looks so soft and delicious!!
Karen Hartzell (@InTheKitchenKP) says
January 13, 2013 at 17:19Homemade soft pretzels are totally on my bucket list. I need more free time to cook and bake! lol
Leslie Limon says
January 13, 2013 at 16:43It's been way too long since I've had a pretzel. Oh how I wish I could bite into one of those right now. And that cheese sauce…(sigh!)…sounds amazing! 🙂
Heather Schmitt-Gonzalez says
January 13, 2013 at 16:06YUM! Well, you know I love these…and I'm so excited that you chose to make them for the birthday bash. I'm sorry they didn't turn out as soft as you wished, but I bet with a few more tries, they'll be just right! Your photos are just gorgeous, Paula. Happy Sunday 🙂
Dorothy at ShockinglyDelicious says
January 13, 2013 at 15:24They look perfect to me, and I would absolutely come to a birthday party starring them!
Abby says
January 13, 2013 at 15:18Yum! I would come to that party any day 🙂
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
January 13, 2013 at 14:55I think the pretzels look great, and the cheese sauce with beer and gruyere – wonderful!
Jennifer@ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
January 13, 2013 at 14:54Wow! The beer sauce looks frigen delish! This would be so perfect for Sunday football!!
Katy says
January 13, 2013 at 14:41They look pretty soft and perfect from here! And that sauce – wow! Great choice!
Carol | a cup of mascarpone says
January 13, 2013 at 13:03Paula, can you make anything that doesn't make me drool…I love soft pretzels, and the dip looks awesome!