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Beer Brownies with a Pretzel Crust

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Beer brownies are a fun and creative twist on everyone’s favorite dessert bar. These treats combine the rich and indulgent flavors of chocolate brownies with the addition of a little bit of beer and crunchy pretzels., creating a delicious and unexpected flavor combination.

This recipe for beer brownies with pretzels spruces up boxed brownie mix to make a unique, chewy brownie bite with a surprising hint of caramel. Make a batch for your holiday parties, game day celebrations, birthdays, Father’s Day…or just because you can!

Beer Brownies with Pretzels Pin Image.

Why You’ll Love these Beer Brownies

  • Ease: These beer brownies are incredibly easy to make and require just a few ingredients. They’re perfect for last-minute gatherings or when you’re craving a sweet treat.
  • Taste: The beer in this recipe isn’t overpowering, and creates a unique depth of flavor. Combining of these brownies with pretzels creates a surprising caramel note that makes these brownies truly delicious.
  • Perfect for Parties: The perfect dessert to bring to a party or potluck, they’re sure to be a hit and will have everyone asking for the recipe.
  • Quick: Using a boxed brownie mix as the base makes these beer brownies a quick and easy treat to make. You can have them ready in under an hour, perfect for satisfying any sudden dessert cravings.

Ingredients for beer brownies with pretzel crust.

What You’ll Need:

Ingredients:

  • Mini pretzels
  • Dark Chocolate Brownie Mix (I Used Pillsbury brand)
  • Vegetable or Canola Oil
  • Eggs
  • Beer (porter or stout recommended)

Equipment:

Step-by-Step Directions:

To make things even easier for you, I created a simple photo guide below. For all measurements and a more detailed guide, check out the recipe card at the bottom of this page.

Crushed pretzels in a plastic bag.

Step 1 – Place 2 cups of mini pretzels in a gallon sized ziplock bag. Using a rolling pin, lightly crush the pretzels into medium-sized chunks. 

Brownie batter in a glass bowl.

Step 2 – Combine brownie mix, oil, beer, and eggs in a large mixing bowl. Stir until just combined. 

Brownie batter in a pan with crushed pretzels on top.

Step 3 – Pour brownie batter into prepared pan. Sprinkle with crushed pretzels. 

Baked brownies cut and on a cooling rack.

Step 4 – Bake until a toothpick comes out clean from the center of the pan, approximately 15 to 20 minutes for mini muffins, and 25 to 30 minutes for a 13 x 9 pan. Let cool completely before cutting.

A stack of beer brownies with pretzel pieces.

Essential Tips:

Don’t skip these tips – read them before starting to avoid any potential mistakes.

  • Use a dark beer for maximum flavor. We like to use porter or stout.
  • Be sure to crush the pretzels into medium-sized chunks, if they’re too fine they will dissolve into the brownies.
  • If using a mini muffin tin, strips of parchment paper under each brownie will help you pull them out of the pan.
  • Let the brownies cool completely before cutting to prevent them from falling apart.
  • Even though your oven shows a temperature, there are often hot and cold spots. I recommend that you check your brownies about 5-10 minutes before the baking time to see if they’re done early.

close up off a brownie bite with pretzel topping on a white plate in front of a bottle of beer

Frequently Asked Questions:

Overhead view of Beer Brownies with Pretzels on a white plate.

Storage Tips/Freezing, Etc.

To Store:

Wait for the beer brownies to cool completely, then place them in an airtight container. They can be stored at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the fridge for up to a week.

To Freeze

Yes! Wrap individual slices of brownies in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag. They can be kept in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, allow them to thaw at room temperature or warm them briefly in a microwave for 10 seconds at a time.

A brownie on a white plate with pretzels on top.

If you liked my Beer Brownies with Pretzels, you’re going to love these recipes:

Or you can check out my other desserts recipes right here.

Yield: 24 brownie bites

Beer Brownies with a Pretzel Crust

A stack of beer brownies with pretzel pieces.

These beer brownies with a pretzel crust create a surprisingly delicious treat that you and your guests will want to devour come game day.

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 cups mini pretzels
  • 1 18.4- oz Box Dark Chocolate Brownie Mix (I Used Pillsbury brand)
  • 2/3 cup oil
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/4 cup beer, porter or stout recommended

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Prepare a 9x13 pan with parchment paper, or lightly oil a mini muffin tin. 
  2. Place 2 cups of mini pretzels in a gallon sized ziplock bag. Using a rolling pin, lightly crush the pretzels into medium-sized chunks. 
  3. Combine brownie mix, oil, beer, and eggs in a large mixing bowl. Stir until just combined. 
  4. Pour brownie batter into prepared pan.
  5. Sprinkle with crushed pretzels. 
  6. Bake until a toothpick comes out clean from the center of the pan, approximately 15 to 20 minutes for mini muffins, and 25 to 30 minutes for a 13 x 9 pan. Let cool completely before cutting.

Notes

Remember, the step-by-step photos and FAQ in the recipe post are there to help you if you feel stuck at any point.

  • Use a dark beer for maximum flavor. We like to use porter or stout.
  • Be sure to crush the pretzels into medium-sized chunks, if they're too fine they will dissolve into the brownies.
  • If using a mini muffin tin, strips of parchment paper under each brownie will help you pull them out of the pan.
  • Let the brownies cool completely before cutting to prevent them from falling apart.
  • Even though your oven shows a temperature, there are often hot and cold spots. I recommend that you check your brownies about 5-10 minutes before the baking time to see if they're done early.

Nutrition Information:

Serving Size:

1 grams
Amount Per Serving: Unsaturated Fat: 0g

How much did you love this recipe?

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© Leslie @ playdatesparties.com
Cuisine: American / Category: Dessert

This post was originally published on January 9th, 2017. It has been updated with new photos, tips, and FAQ.

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About Leslie

Leslie is the passionate party planner in her family. Living with metastatic breast cancer since 2022, she is determined to find a way to continue making amazing parties for her kids that don't leave you exhausted. To do that Leslie combines the experience she learned working for a professional event planner with the reality of a busy family life to create party inspiration that the average mom can reproduce and be proud of.

Comments

  2. Janine Huldie says

    OK I have been looking for a unique townie recipe for my family and I think this is exactly what I was looking for. So definitely going to be giving these a try now. Seriously, how can I thank you enough for sharing here, Leslie 🙂

    • Leslie says

      So glad you like the idea, Janine! It’s almost as easy as the box mix alone, so anybody can make them. Let me know if you give the recipe a try!

    • Leslie says

      I was definitely thinking of them for the Super Bowl. But, let’s face it, I don’t need a special reason to enjoy brownies! Thanks for stopping by!

  4. Selena, The Rambler says

    I’m so going to try this recipe out! I have to make goodies for my husband’s crew this week and I would bet a zillion dollars his soldiers would want a beer brownie! #happynowlinkup

    • Leslie says

      The beer doesn’t add a ton of flavor, but knowing that it’s in there makes them feel so much more special. I hope your husband and his crew like them!

  8. Brandi Puga says

    I love chocolate with a touch of salty! and nothing is better than chocolate dipped pretzels, i can’t wait to try these, they seem like the perfect combination! #happynowlinkup

    • Leslie says

      That’s kind of what I was thinking when putting this all together. Chocolate + pretzels = awesome. Beer + pretzels = classic. Beer + chocolate + pretzels = Spectacular

    • Leslie says

      No! I’m definitely going to have to look into that. Thankfully, though, I’m really only half into beer. Now if they start offering Champagne yoga, I’m toast. ?

    • Leslie says

      Definitely delicious. I actually kind of wish I still had some next to me right now. Thanks for stopping by!

    • Leslie says

      Not sure that it does, but I’ll let you know if I ever find something that is better! Thanks for stopping by!

  15. Nina says

    Interesting! What a delightful combination, we’ll have to give this a try on the weekend. So glad you shared this with us at the Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop. I’m updating my blog this month, and will be adding lots of creative DIY projects that might be fun for you and your family. Hope you’ll stop by for a visit! Nina @ Vintage Mama’s Cottage

  19. Milena | Craft Beering says

    I love this recipe! Stout or porter are the perfect choice of craft beer and I know exactly what you are talking about when you reference the caramelization. The flavor cannot be replicated either, so yummy! We love using beer as ingredient in desserts, it also helps batters rise better during baking, milk or water can never perform the same:)

  21. Supriya Kuttty says

    Oh my my… Beer brownies all we need is. Awesome idea dear! My hubby & his friends would love these for sure… I will try this for sure very soon. Thanks for sharing this awesome recipe with all of us. Looking forward to more recipes like this. Best wishes and Regards. xoxo

  33. Nehal Preet says

    I love this recipe personally!! I would love to make a fun Super Bowl for my house warming party option. Thank you so much for posting this recipe! I hope you will share more recipes like this in the future. Much love and regards. xoxo

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