Beer brownies are a fun and creative twist on everyone’s favorite dessert bar. But many recipes are too time consuming or use ingredients you might not have on hand.
This recipe for beer brownies with a pretzel crust spruces up boxed brownie mix to make a unique, chewy brownie bite with a surprising hint of caramel. Make a batch for your game day celebration, birthdays, Father’s Day…or just because you can!
Do you like to make creative recipes for your celebrations?
Sometimes I go a bit nuts with the creativity. Yes, I have my favorite go-to party recipes, but often I like to add a fun little twist.
The challenge is finding a way to balance creative baking and convenience.
Of course, regular readers know that I love desserts that are both delicious and fast. That’s how I ended up with recipes like Ridiculously Easy Cinnamon Spice Cake Mix Blondies, Christmas Crack, and even the Cheater’s Cookie Platter.
So, it’s no surprise that when our craft beer-loving family members came to visit over the holidays, I wanted to make a little treat that incorporated their favorite beverage.
And so, beer brownies with a pretzel crust were born.
To say they were a hit would be an understatement. There is only a small amount of beer in the batter, adding just a subtle, malty flavor to the brownies.
But the real surprise was with the effect of the beer on the pretzel topping.
You see, to make these brownies, I simply replaced the water required by a boxed brownie mix with a porter. And since all beer has sugar in it, that increased the sugar content of the brownie batter.
As the beer brownies cooked, the portion of the batter that had contact with the pretzels caramelized.
Ironically, I came thisclose to adding caramel to the brownie mix before baking. But in the end, I opted for simplicity. And I’m so glad I did.
The brownies actually tasted like they had a layer of caramel in them already. 🙌
So. Yummy.
Since we were hosting family, I made the beer brownies in a mini muffin tin to create little brownie bites. They were the perfect 2-bite treat.
(You don’t need to use the strips of parchment paper. I was worried about sticking when making the brownie bites, but as long as you don’t overcook the brownies, that shouldn’t happen.)
To make it even easier, you could bake the brownies in a regular 9×13 pan too.
Either way, beer brownies with a pretzel crust are so simple and so good.
More Dessert Recipes to Love:
- Best ever chocolate chip cookies (9 years tested and perfected)
- Double Decker Triple Stuffed Christmas Brownies
- Dark Chocolate Gingerbread Bars with Rum
- White Chocolate Blondies with Peppermint
- Or click here to see all the dessert recipes!
Beer Brownies with a Pretzel Crust
These beer brownies with a pretzel crust create a surprisingly delicious treat that you and your guests will want to devour come game day.
Ingredients
- 2 C mini pretzels
- 1 18.4- oz Box Dark Chocolate Brownie Mix (I Used Pillsbury brand)
- 2/3 C oil
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 C beer, porter or stout recommended
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Prepare a 9x13 pan with parchment paper, or lightly oil a mini muffin tin.
- Place 2 cups of mini pretzels in a gallon sized ziplock bag. Using a rolling pin, lightly crush the pretzels into medium-sized chunks.
- Combine brownie mix, oil, beer, and eggs in a bowl. Stir until just combined.
- Pour brownie batter into prepared pan. Sprinkle with crushed pretzels.
- 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.
Nutrition Information:
Serving Size:
1 gramsAmount Per Serving: Unsaturated Fat: 0g
Neni says
OH MY! This is all I need, that´s so right up my alley. I saved it for the next weekend 🙂
Leslie says
So glad you like it. Let me know if you do make them!
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!
Marie says
Awesome idea! My boyfriend would love these! Would make a fun Super Bowl watch party option too.
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!
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!
Webmdiva says
You had me at beer and brownies. Pinning!
Leslie says
Beer and brownies are definitely a winning combination. Thanks for stopping by!
Akaleistar says
Oo, those brownies look so good!
Leslie says
They taste even better than they look!
Carolina Twin Mom / Mary Peterson says
Well, that’s about the most creative culinary creation I’ve seen for a good while! Right up there with Velveeta brownies (and maybe even tastier?!?). Thanks for sharing!
#happynowlinkup
Leslie says
Velveeta brownies? I’m going to have to look into that just for curiosity sake!
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
Katy says
You had me at “beer”! Did you see that there is now such a thing as beer yoga?!
#fridayfrivolity
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. ?
Jess says
Wow…this sounds delicious! 🙂
I would love for you to share this with my Facebook Group for recipes, crafts, tips, and tricks: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pluckyrecipescraftstips/
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
Leslie says
Definitely delicious. I actually kind of wish I still had some next to me right now. Thanks for stopping by!
Karen says
So have to try these, they look so yummy. Stopping by from #SITSSaturdaySharefest
Leslie says
Hi there Karen! Thank you so much for stopping by again!
Theresa (@DearCreatives) says
Looks so yummy & love that it’s an easy recipe too. Thanks for sharing at the Inspiration Spotlight party. Pinned & shared.
Leslie says
Thanks so much for hosting and thanks for stopping by!
Mother of 3 says
Thanks for sharing with us at Together on Tuesdays. I know a few people who’d like these!
Leslie says
I know everyone we shared them with loved them. Thanks so much for hosting!
Sandra Garth says
Beer, brownies and pretzels; does it get any better than this! Great recipe.
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!
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
Leslie says
I’m always looking for fun DIY projects. Thanks for letting me know!
Whitney à la mode says
Oh my goodness! My mouth is watering! These sound delicious and so unique!
Leslie says
They are so good. I highly recommend you try them. Thanks for stopping by!
Helen at the Lazy Gastronome says
These sound really good!! Thanks for sharing on the What’s for Dinner link up!
Leslie says
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Sharon@BlueWillowHouse says
These brownies look amazing. Thank you for sharing your recipe at the Snickerdoodle Create~Bake~Make link party! Pinning!
Leslie says
Thanks so much for hosting, stopping by, and sharing!
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:)
Jas @All that's Jas says
I love booze in food! Beer in brownies? Where do I sign up? Pinned!
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
Helen at the Lazy Gastronome says
A great twist on salty sweet! Thanks for sharing at the What’s for Dinner party!
Jenny says
These brownies look and sound amazing! Thanks for sharing at Merry Monday.
Suzie says
Like the savory with sweet combo!
Becky Ellis says
Beer Brownies with a Pretzel Crust ~ perfect for tailgating! Love this recipe, thank you for sharing on Fiesta Friday!
Maria | passion fruit, paws and peonies says
What a fantastic idea. I have a couple of family members who would go crazy for these xx
Jann Olson says
I bet they are tasty! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Sandra Garth says
Game time or anytime these look delicious! Thank you for sharing with us at Celebrate Your Story and have a great weekend.
Sue Ready says
sound delicious and creative combining beer, chocolate and pretzel-all in a mini shape
perfect game day food
laura says
Sharing on my blog for Inspire Me Monday features! This is my fav combination! laura
Colleen - Faith, HOpe, Love, & Luck says
You just took two yummy things and made them even yummier!!!
Jodie Fitz says
MMMMM sounds like football food! Will have to try….
Thanks for sharing at last week’s Reader Tip Tuesday – looking forward to seeing you at this week’s party. xo
https://www.jodiefitz.com/2018/10/02/reader-tip-tuesday-weeks-craft-recipe-party-14-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2/
Elise L Ho says
What an incredibly interesting recipe. It is a combo I never would have thought of.
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