The holidays are right around the corner and that means you'll likely need ideas for entertaining friends and family. Our solution? Pretzels, of course!
Today, let's talk specifically about pretzel options for Thanksgiving. At Pretzels.com, we are proud to offer fresh pretzel varieties in all sorts of shapes and flavors. There's nothing wrong with putting out a bowl of our pretzels to snack on for the big game, the parade, or while you're cooking up the feast.
However, if you want to get even more creative with pretzels, there are several options for you.
Beer Cheese Pretzel Dip
This is sure to be a crowd-pleaser, and it's perfect served with crunchy or soft pretzels, chips, or veggies.
Here's what you'll need:
- 8 bacon strips, sliced
- 1 pound of ground beef
- 2 pounds of cheese product
- 8 ounces of cream cheese
- 8 ounces of cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 cups of diced tomatoes
- 1 jalapeño, seeded and diced
- 1/2 red onion, diced
- 1 cup beer of your choice (we like a brown ale)
- 1 cup green onions, sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
If your slow cooker has a saute function, you can cook the bacon in it, along with the beef. If not, use a sautee pan to crisp the bacon, and then cook the ground beef until it is completely brown.
Add the cooked meat into the slow cooker, if you haven't already.
Then, add in the cheese product, cheddar, tomatoes, jalapeno, and red onion. Cook on low heat until the cheese is melty and the veggies are soft — which takes about 30 minutes.
Then, add the beer, green onions, and chopped cilantro. Serve!
Pretzel Cookies
If you're thinking of something sweet to add to your Thanksgiving table this year, consider making some pretzel cookies.
Here's what you'll need:
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups miniature pretzels, broken
- 1-1/2 cups sweetened shredded coconut
- 1-1/2 cups milk chocolate M&M's
Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugars until they are light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs and vanilla. In another bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; gradually beat into the creamed mixture. Stir in the remaining ingredients.
Shape 1/4 cupfuls of dough into balls, and place 3 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Use parchment paper to avoid sticking.
Bake 12-14 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool.
These make for an easy and fun Thanksgiving treat that everyone is sure to love.
Pretzel Turkeys
Another fun idea for a Thanksgiving treat is to make pretzel turkeys! These are fun for kids to make, too since they are pretty easy.
All you need to make these are pretzel rods, candy corn, any type of round cracker, confetti sprinkles, a handful of heart-shaped sprinkles, an edible marker, and baking chocolate.
Dip the face of the round cracker in the melted chocolate and arrange the candy corn in a fan shape around the edge — the candy corn represents the turkey feathers.
You can whip out a bunch of those and let them set before you start dipping the pretzel rods.
Dip ¾ of each pretzel rod in the baking chocolate, allow excess to drip off, then press and hold the pretzel rod against the cracker until it feels secure.
Before the pretzel is completely dry, press one candy corn on the pretzel rod as the nose, holding it in place until secure.
Sprinkle nonpareils near the bottom of the pretzel if desired.
Press two white confetti sprinkles on the pretzel rod as the eyes and press a heart sprinkle (upside-down) below the candy corn nose (be careful not to touch the chocolate).
Finally, add two black dots on the eyes with the edible marker.
Peanut Butter Pretzel Pie
It wouldn't be Thanksgiving without a great pie, right? This one sounds complex, but it's impressive without the stress.
To make the peanut butter pretzel pie, you'll need:
- 2-3/4 cups crushed pretzel sticks
- 1 cup sugar, divided
- 3/4 cup butter, melted
- 1 envelope unflavored gelatin
- 1/4 cup cold water
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/4 cup butter, softened
- 2 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream, divided
- 1/2 cup milk chocolate chips
- Additional crushed pretzel sticks, optional
Preheat the oven to 350°. Combine the crushed pretzels and 1/3 cup sugar with the melted butter. Using the bottom of a glass, press onto the bottom and up the sides of a greased 9-in. deep-dish pie plate. Bake until set, 12-15 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack.
Meanwhile, sprinkle gelatin over cold water; let stand 5 minutes. Beat peanut butter, softened butter, cream cheese, and remaining sugar until smooth. Gradually beat in 1/2 cup cream. Microwave gelatin on high until melted, about 10 seconds; stir into peanut butter mixture. Transfer to crust.
Microwave chocolate chips and remaining cream on high; stir until smooth. Cool slightly. Spread chocolate mixture over peanut butter mixture. If desired, top with additional crushed pretzels. Refrigerate, covered, until set, about 3 hours.
Delish!
Happy Thanksgiving, from Pretzels.com!
No matter what Thanksgiving treats you serve at your table this year, we hope they're delicious and enjoyed in great company.
For Thanksgiving or any day, don't forget to check out our pretzels created by chefs in micro-batches of 50+ gourmet flavors. Savory and sweet. Salty and tangy. Satisfying and irresistible. Baked fresh in Pennsylvania. Order today!
Happy Thanksgiving!
