Homemade Soft Pretzels – The Perfect College Football Playoffs Snack

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It is that season!! No, not THAT season….College Football Playoffs season!! There is nothing better than enjoying a great game all cuddled up on the couch with a yummy snack, refreshing Dr Pepper® and your family and friends. We are a football loving and watching family. Even though we do not get to enjoy many home games or tailgating, I believe over the years of being parents we have perfected the art of HomeGating.

Just like all of my recipes and parties I share with you, this College Football Playoffs set up is easy! On game day, I want to be the hostess with the mostess but I also want to be able to enjoy that time with family and friends. As I get older, yes that is happening, I am finding that the more I prep for my events before the day of the event, the happier I am during the event. Less stress…man I need that in my life. I know I am not alone and let’s face it, hosting a party, even a small one, can be super stressful.

To start my planning I always stock up on a few drinks like Dr Pepper to have chilling in the cooler before our guests arrive. Everyone has their soda preference but the majority of our friends and family gravitate towards Dr Pepper and I totally support that! By the way, if you are looking to add some fun football party food to your table, you really need to be on the look out for the College Football Playoffs inspired cans and 2 liter bottles available at Walmart.

Homemade Soft Pretzels

1 stick of butter, melted
Coarse salt

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 475 degrees. Prepare a large baking pan with parchment paper and set it aside.

2. This dough will be made using your stand mixer and dough hook.

3. Combine yeast with warm water and sugar in your mixer bowl.

4. Let yeast set, you will know it is ready once it becomes frothy.

6. Carefully add 1 cup of flour at a time to the mixing bowl until dough is completely combined.

7. Knead dough for 5 more minutes until smooth and pliable.

8. Form dough into a ball and place it back into the bowl to rest for 15 minutes.

9. While the dough rests, make the baking soda soak by boiling 2 cups of water and 4 TBSP of baking soda in a pot.

10. Once the baking soda is mostly dissolved, take mixture off heat and allow it to come down to a lukewarm temperature.

11. Once cool, pour into a bowl for the soak.

12. Take dough out of the bowl and flatten slightly with the palm of your hand. Cut dough into 8 sections.

13. Roll each section into a long rope. Shape rope into a pretzel.

14. Carefully place the pretzels into the baking soda soak for 2 minutes.

15. Place each pretzel on the lined baking sheet.

16. Bake pretzels for 8-10 minutes.

17. Once done, carefully brush each pretzel with melting butter and then sprinkle with coarse salt.

18. Serve with dipping sauces like cream cheese, nacho cheese, or mustard.

For more HomeGating inspiration and to find a Dr Pepper event near you, click here

Have you tried the Walmart grocery store pickup service? My kids’ school is right across from a store that has pick up and for the last few months I considered doing this service just to save me some extra time. I am so glad I finally took the grocery store pickup challenge! My life is changed. I simply put in my order online at home for all of my homegaiting needs and the following day after I dropped the kids off I went to the store and BOOM! Grocery shopping done!! It was amazing and you know what? I am pretty sure I saved us money because there was no impulse buying. I drove into the pickup area and within 5 minutes I was on my way home.

What is your favorite game day appetizer to add to your party menu?