Perfect Snack Pretzel Bites with Beer Cheese

ADAPTED FROM SALLY'S BAKING RECIPES

Adapted for Ground Up by Lani Rosen-Gallagher, Founder of Full of Joy Yoga

PRETZEL INGREDIENTS

• 1 and 1/2 cups (360ml) warm water (lukewarm– no need to take temperature but around 100°F (38°C) is great)
• 2 and 1/4 teaspoons (7g) instant or active dry yeast (1 standard packet)
• 1 Tablespoon brown sugar or granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter, melted and slightly cool
• 3 and 3/4 – 4 cups (469-500g) Ground Up All Purpose Flour (spoon & leveled), plus more for hands and work surface

• coarse salt/coarse sea salt

• 1/2 cup (120g) baking soda
• 9 cups (2,160ml) water

PRETZEL INSTRUCTIONS

1. Make the dough: Whisk warm water, yeast, and sugar together in the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with a paddle or dough hook attachment. (If you do not have a stand mixer, just use a regular large mixing bowl.) Cover yeast mixture and allow to sit for 5 minutes or until foamy on top. Add salt, melted butter, and 3 cups (375g) of flour. Beat on low speed for 1 minute, scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula if needed, then add 3/4 cup (95g) of flour. Beat on low speed until the dough comes together and pulls away from the sides of the bowl, about 2 minutes. If dough is extremely sticky after 1 minute of mixing, add remaining 1/4 cup of flour and continue to beat for 1 more minute.

2. Knead the dough: Keep the dough in the mixer and beat on low speed for an additional 2 minutes or knead by hand on a lightly floured surface for 2 minutes. Cover lightly with a towel and allow to rest for 10-30 minutes. (Meanwhile, I got the water + baking soda boiling as instructed in step 5.)

3. Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Silicone baking mats are highly recommended over parchment paper. If using parchment paper, lightly spray with nonstick spray or grease with butter. Set aside.

4. Shape: With a sharp knife, pizza cutter, or bench scraper, cut dough into 6 equal pieces (just eyeball it, doesn’t have to be perfect). Sprinkle work surface very lightly with flour. Roll each piece of dough into a 20-inch rope. If the ropes keep shrinking and stretching the dough becomes difficult, stop what you’re doing, lightly cover all of the dough, and let it rest for 10 minutes so the gluten can relax. Then, return to rolling it into ropes. Cut each rope into 1.5 – 2 inch pieces to make bites.

5. Baking Soda Bath: Mix water and baking soda together in a large pot. Bring to a boil. Place 8-10 pretzel bites into the boiling water for a quick 10-15 seconds. Using a slotted spatula or spoon, lift the pretzel bites out of the water and allow as much of the excess water to drip off. Place bites onto prepared baking sheets. Sprinkle each with coarse sea salt while they are still wet. Repeat baking soda bath with remaining pretzel bites. If needed, you can cover and refrigerate the boiled/unbaked bites for up to 24 hours before baking.

6. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and serve warm.

7. Cover and store leftover pretzel bites at room temperature for up to 3 days. They lose a little softness over time. To reheat, microwave for a few seconds or bake in a 350°F (177°C) for 5 minutes.

BEER CHEESE INGREDIENTS

• 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese (about 2 cups)
• 4 ounces Gruyère cheese (about 1 cup)
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 tablespoons Ground Up All Purpose Flour 
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 (12-ounce) beer 
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

BEER CHEESE INSTRUCTIONS

1. Grate 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese (about 2 cups) and 4 ounces Gruyère cheese (about 1 cup) on the largest holes of a box grater.

2. Melt 3 tablespoons unsalted butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, and whisk until the flour is completely absorbed, about 30 seconds. The mixture will be foamy and there should be no dry pockets of flour left.

3. While whisking constantly, slowly pour in 1 (12-ounce) beer and 1 cup whole milk. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, whisking often, 2 to 3 minutes. Continue to cook, whisking often, until thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 5 minutes.

4. Reduce the heat to low. Add 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and the grated cheese a handful at a time, whisking between each addition, until the cheese is fully melted before adding more. Serve immediately.