Beer Pretzel Poppers

Ingredients:

1 ½ cups                    warm beer

¼ cup                         brown sugar

1 – ( ¼ ounce)           package active dry yeast (about 2 ¼ tsp)

5 cups                          all-purpose flour

½ teaspoon                salt

4 ounces                      unsalted butter, melted

olive oil

3 quarts                       water

¾ cup                          baking soda

2                                   eggs

1 tablespoon              cold water

Coarse sea salt

 

Directions:

  1. Make the pretzel dough: combine warm beer (or water) with brown sugar, and stir until the sugar is almost dissolved.
  2. Add yeast, stirring until incorporated. Cover bowl with plastic wrap.  Set aside is a warm place for 10 minutes, or until foamy.
  3. In a large bowl, combine flour and salt. Add melted butter, stirring until well distributed.
  4. Pour in yeast/beer mixture, stirring until well combined. Turn dough out onto a clean surface, knead for a couple of minutes.  Dough should be soft and smooth.
  5. Pour about 1 tablespoon of olive oil into a large, clean metal or glass bowl. Add freshly kneaded dough to the bowl, turning to coat with the oil.
  6. Cover with plastic wrap, set aside in a warm spot to rise for an hour or two, until doubled.
  7. Once the pretzel dough has doubled in size, divide the pretzel dough into approximately 40 chunks.
  8. Preheat oven to 425ºF
  9. Bring water to a boil in a large pot. Add baking soda (BE CAREFUL – it will foam up) and stir until combined.
  10. Boil the pretzels, about 10 at a time, for about a minute
  11. Gently stir as they boil, to ensure that the entire surface of each is in contact with the water at some point.
  12. Use a slotted spoon to transfer each popper to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and/or lightly coated with cooking spray. (You’ll need 2 baking sheets).
  13. For the finishing touch: whisk together eggs and water, and brush this mixture across the tops of the poppers. Generously sprinkle the tops with coarse sea salt.
  14. Bake for 15-18 minutes, until golden brown.