Pretzel Dogs
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Serves: 8-10 pretzel dogs
Ingredients
  • ¾ cup warm beer, or water (about 110°F/43°C)
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1½ teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 2¼ cups flour
  • 1 tablespoon/14g butter, melted
  • Vegetable oil
  • 10 cups water
  • ⅔ cup baking soda
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • Coarse salt for topping
  • 6-10 hot dogs
Instructions
  1. To heat the beer or water microwave it in 15 second bursts. Use a thermometer if you have one to check its temperature. Otherwise, if it feels warm to your finger but not scalding hot, then it's probably fine.
  2. Once the beer is warm stir in the sugar and yeast. Let stand for 5 minutes. In this time the yeast will get foamy and smell like bread.
  3. In a large bowl, mix together the salt and flour. Create a well in the center of the flour mixture.
  4. Pour the beer mixture and the melted butter into the well of the flour mixture. Using a wooden spoon (or a dough hook on low) mix together the liquid and flour mixtures. Mix until you have a shaggy ball.
  5. Knead the dough for 4-5 minutes or until it forms a smooth ball. I recommend doing this by hand, but you can use the mixer.
  6. Lightly oil a medium bowl with vegetable oil. Put the prepared dough in the bowl and roll it around a bit so it's lightly coated in oil. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it sit for 1 hour or until it's doubled in size.
  7. Towards the end of that 1 hour, preheat the oven to 450°F/230°C.
  8. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and grease the parchment.
  9. In a large pot combine the water and baking soda. Bring to a boil.
  10. Now that the dough is ready, divide it into the same number of pieces as the number of hot dogs you have.
  11. Using a rolling pin or your hand flatten the dough so it's about ¼"-1/2" in thickness. Put the hot dog in the middle and wrap the dough around it. Depending on what look you prefer you can cover the hot dog entirely or let the ends stick out. Pinch the edges of the dough together to form a seal so that the dough won't unravel.
  12. Once all the hot dogs are covered, in batches of 3-4, drop the hot dogs into the boiling water. Let them boil for 30 seconds them remove with a slotted spoon.
  13. Place the pretzel dogs on the prepared baking sheet. Leave at least 1" in between the pretzel dogs.
  14. In a small bowl beat together the egg and 1 tablespoon of water.
  15. Brush the egg over the tops of the pretzel dogs. Sprinkle each dog with some coarse salt.
  16. Bake for 15 minutes, or until nicely browned all over.
  17. Let cool just slightly.
  18. Serve with ketchup, mustard, or cheese sauce and a beer.
Recipe by Cooking is Messy at https://www.cookingismessy.com/2015/07/23/pretzel-dogs/