Homemade Parmesan Soft Pretzel Sticks with Beer Cheese Sauce
Homemade soft pretzels made with fresh grated Parmesan cheese inside and out. These scrumptious pretzel sticks are perfectly paired with quick and simple beer cheese dip.
3cupsall-purpose flour(plus a little more for surface)
2Tbspunsalted butter
3/4cupfresh grated Parmesan cheese
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3Tbspbaking soda
Deepwide cooking pan filled with water ⅔ or the way
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2Tbspunsalted buttermelted
Coarse salt
Fresh grated Parmesan cheese
Beer Cheese Dip:
2Tbspunsalted butter
3TbspWondra flour
3/4cupale
8ozblock sharp white cheddar cheesegrated
1/2cupshredded mozzarella cheese
1/2tsppaprika
1/4tspcayenne pepper
Salt to taste
Instructions
Mix yeast and sugar in a bowl. Add warm water and whisk until sugar dissolves. Let yeast bloom for about 10 minutes.
Mix flour, grated Parmesan cheese and salt in a bowl of an electric mixer. Mix chopped, cold butter into flour on low speed until mixture starts to resemble coarse crumbs.
Slowly pour yeast mixture into flour mixture, while still mixing on low, until just combined. Using your hands, gather dough together. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface, and knead until no longer sticky, for a couple of minutes. Place dough in a medium bowl and cover with plastic. Let rise in a dry warm place for 30-45 minutes.
Divide dough in smaller, manageable pieces. Roll each piece into about 1/2 inch thick rope. Cut the rope into about 5-inch long pieces.
Place dough sticks onto a lightly greased baking sheet and let rest for 20 minutes.
Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
Bring a large, deep cooking pan of water to a boil and add baking soda, stir well. Boil pretzel sticks in batches until puffed, about 30-45 seconds.
Take out onto a paper towel and return to baking sheet.
Brush with butter and sprinkle with coarse salt and grated Parmesan cheese.
Bake until golden brown, 8-11 minutes.
Beer Cheese Sauce:
In a small sauce pot, over medium heat, melt butter and whisk in Wondra flour. Slowly pour in ale while whisking constantly. Once the mixture is smooth, add both cheeses and keep stirring until the cheese is melted and sauce is smooth. Add paprika, cayenne pepper and some salt to taste. Serve with pretzels right away.
*Note*: Wondra is a quick mixing flour that is great for sauces but if you don't have any, use all purpose.