Start to finish: 15 minutes
Serves 12
2 (13-ounce) boxes of frozen hot soft pretzels, 12 pretzels in all
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3/4 cup milk, preferably whole
¾ cup good beer
2 teaspoons brown mustard
Sriracha or other hot sauce to taste
4 ounces cream cheese, cut into pieces
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar
Coarse or kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Prepare the pretzels according to package directions.
Meanwhile, in a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the flour and cook, whisking constantly, for 2 minutes. Slowly whisk in the milk and beer, then increase the heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a simmer. Add the mustard and Sriracha and cook, whisking occasionally, until the mixture begins to thicken, 3 to 5 minutes.
Whisk in the cream cheese until it’s melted, then add the cheddar cheese in several batches, whisking until each batch has melted before adding the next. Serve hot, with hot pretzels.
Nutrition information per serving: 364 calories; 131 calories from fat; 15 g fat (8 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 36 mg cholesterol; 551 mg sodium; 47 g carbohydrate; 1 g fiber; 1 g sugar; 10 g protein.
Katie Workman, Associated Press
