Shortcut beer + pretzel brownies feature an easy brownie studded with pretzels, topped with beer frosting. They’ll make you the star of your next tailgater!
Can you feel it? That nip in the air that means fall and FOOTBALL SEASON are right around the corner?
I can’t even express my excitement, although admittedly I can’t feel any kind of nip here in PHX. Here it’s more oven outside than anything else.
Every year it’s inevitable—I begin counting the days ‘til next season at the 2-minute warning of the last Duck game of the season. As much as I love summer, and I love summer, fall holds a special place in my heart.
I come from a football-loving family, so I’ve eaten my share of football-watching food. The smell of hot dogs grilling will forever remind me of tailgating before Duck games when I was growing up.
After stuffing ourselves with the potato chips and cookies and Costco bags of Halloween candy we were only allowed on game days, my friends and I would chase the marching band around the parking lot at Autzen Stadium, desperately hoping they’d play Louie Louie so we could scream out the words—all two of them that we knew, anyway.
Don’t ask me how none of us ever got sick.
Back in the day, my contribution to tailgaters was always oatmeal scotchie bars. They were the perfect portable treat to cap off a meal of hot dogs and hamburgers.
But move over oatmeal scotchies! There’s a new tailgating dessert in town!
These shortcut beer + pretzel brownies will be my contribution to each and every tailgater I attend this year. (Of which there will probably be few since I don’t live in Eugene or Syracuse anymore, and I’m not missing a Duck game on TV to watch an ASU game in person.)
These brownies feature a box brownie mix for ease and a beer-infused frosting for extra deliciousness. To make the beer frosting, you reduce some beer (I used a stout), then let it cool and mix it into a simple American buttercream.
If you’re not sure about beer in your desserts, I urge you to reconsider. It isn’t a prominent flavor—it just contributes some nice bitterness in the background of the frosting. And the pretzels add a lovely, salty crunch that’s totally addictive, the perfect complement to that game day beer you’re sure to be drinking.
Whip up a batch of these beer + pretzel brownies and you’ll be the star of your next football party. Trust me, I know whereof I speak 🙂
Salty and sweet, these beer and pretzel brownies are perfect football food!
- 1 18-ounce box brownie mix + ingredients to make them
- stout beer to substitute for the water in the brownies
- 2/3 cup crushed pretzels
- 1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons stout beer divided
- 1 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3 to 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- additional pretzels for decorating (optional)
- sprinkles for decorating (optional)
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees (or whatever temperature your box specifies). Line a 13- by 9-inch baking pan with foil, allowing several inches of excess to hang over the sides. Spray the foil with cooking spray and set pan aside.
- Mix the brownies according to the directions on the box, substituting beer for the water. Fold in the crushed pretzels and spread batter into an even layer in the prepared pan. Bake according to the directions on the box and cool completely before frosting.
- While brownies are in the oven, place the 1/2 cup of beer in a small saucepan. Set the pan over medium heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer until the beer has reduced to about 1/4 cup. Set aside to cool completely before continuing with the frosting.
- Once reduced beer has cooled to room temperature, place the butter in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat until very creamy, about 1 minute. Add the reduced beer, the remaining 2 tablespoons beer, vanilla, and salt and beat for 1 minute more. Add 3 cups of the powdered sugar and beat on low until combined, then increase speed to high and beat for 3 to 4 minutes, until very fluffy. If frosting is too thin, add additional powdered sugar. If it’s too thick, add additional beer (you don’t need to reduce it).
- Spread frosting over the cooled brownies and top with sprinkles and/or pretzels. (I recommend refrigerating the brownies overnight to make slicing easier but it isn’t necessary.) Use the excess foil to remove brownies from their pan. Slice into bars and serve.
Thao @ In Good Flavor says
Oh man! I wished I had seen this recipe there weeks ago! I would have made it for my brother who was visiting and is a big Guinness fan. He moved overseas for a job opportunity, so I won’t be making this for him anytime soon. But I can still make them…because beer brownie + pretzels + beer frosting is winner winner, chicken dinner!
Kelsie says
Thank you Thao! I wish I’d gotten around to posting it earlier :). Have a great rest of your weekend!
Pamela (BrooklynFarmGirl) says
They look so yummy!
Kelsie says
Thank you Pamela!
Marissa (@pinchandswirl) says
Perfect tailgating treat!! Or any other excuse for eating one or five of these!!
Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Kelsie says
Thank you Marissa! You too!
Ben|Havocinthekitchen says
I wish I could share your excitement, but I’m not a football fan. However, I assume the football season will result in you making some scrumptious snacks and desserts, am I right? I hope I am. In this case I’m utterly excited about you making and sharing all this food:) These brownies look great, Kelsie. Why haven’t I added any frosting on my brownies before? That’s a double amount of calo…I mean happiness and deliciousness 🙂
Kelsie says
Haha! I have a few more football desserts up my sleeve! Ben. GO FROST SOME BROWNIES NOW! You don’t know what you’re missing! Have a great rest of your weekend, my friend!
Julie is Hostess At Heart says
Beer and chocolate Kelsie? I think we were meant to be soul sisters!
Kelsie says
Haha! If you like beer and chocolate too, then we definitely were!
Stacey @ The Sugar Coated Cottage says
I love the beer and pretzel combo but more so that it is in a brownie! I could never resist a brownie with that much frosting, pure heaven!! Take care.
Kelsie says
Thank you Stacey! Happy Friday!
GiGi Eats Celebrities says
THAT frosting has me totally weak in the knees!
Kelsie says
Thank you Gigi!
Kelly @ Kelly Lynn's Sweets and Treats says
Bring on the beer frosting!! Looks so yummy!! I agree these are totally perfect for tailgating….I want to tailgate with you!! 😉 xoxo
Kelsie says
Any time! Thank you my dear :). Have a great weekend!
Kankana says
I am not much of a sport person but you mention brownie and I will be there … oh yeah 😀
Kelsie says
Haha! Thank you Kankana!
Katherine | Love In My Oven says
You’re ridiculous. And I mean that with the utmost love, haha!! These are so cool. I’m a little jealous of your football memories – Canadians are so much less excited about football, it’s kind of a bummer. I can still enjoy these without any actual tailgating though right?! 😉
Kelsie says
Hahaha! Thank you Katherine! Ridiculous is actually my middle name :). You can absolutely enjoy these without tailgating, but it would be better if you just came down here for a visit and we had a big ol’ tailgater so we could enjoy ourselves properly. Just a suggestion! Have a great weekend, my dear!
marcie@flavorthemoments says
A big YES to football season! I’ve been lost since basketball ended because baseball is just so slow. These brownies are the perfect tailgate treat. There could be no better combo than brownies, beer, and pretzels!
Kelsie says
Thank you Marcie! I CAN’T WAIT!
Carlee says
We’re more Sunday football people than Saturday, but we still love having people over for the game. These will be on the menu this year for sure. And my sister-in-law just took a job in Pittsburgh so now we have a place to stay… we just need to score tickets, then these will be served to everyone we see before the game. EVERYONE!
Kelsie says
Thank you Carlee! Football gatherings are definitely my favorite kind :). Have a great weekend!
evolvewithmary says
Now this is a combination I would never think of. Pretzel brownies?? I mean they are brownies and you did make it so it must be amazing… right 😉
Omg I can’t wait for football season! Its the best 🙂 I bet you are super popular at your regular tailgate. GO DUCKS!!!!
Kelsie says
Awwww thank you Mary! The salty sweet thing totally works here :). GO DUCKS!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
The weather here in N to the C has been just goooorgeous! Definitely a very teeny-tiny nip in the air, which is a welcome surprise for August! I am loooooving these brownies girl! I mean, you totally had me at “shortcut”.. and then again at beer and pretzel! These look dangerously delicious! Cheers, dear!
Kelsie says
Thank you Cheyanne! I’m eagerly awaiting some nippier air out here. Glad you’re getting it! Have a great weekend!
annie@ciaochowbambina says
You had me at ‘Shortcut’ and kept me at ‘Beer’!! We are ramping up for football season (at the Carrier Dome, no less) and this dessert will most certainly be on the menu! GO ORANGE! Pinned!
Kelsie says
GO ORANGE! I think these would be a big hit at the Dome :). Ahhhh I miss that place! Have a great weekend, Annie!
Patrick@looneyforfood says
I don’t want to think about summer ending but these look good
Kelsie says
Thank you, Patrick!
David | Spiced says
I always forget that you spent time here in upstate New York. I guess I can forgive you for being a Syracuse fan. (Should I mention that I went to Duke undergrad? Or shall we save that for basketball season?) Like you, I’m a hardcore college football fan, and I’ve spent many a day tailgating outside of Tiger Stadium down in Baton Rouge. (Speaking of Tiger Stadium, ‘Cuse goes there this year. Want to meet there? It’s about halfway between us…or something like that. Hah!) Anyhoo, tailgate desserts are a thing of beauty, and I’m ALL about these brownies with beer frosting. What a great idea. That is, if I can manage to not drink all of the beer first. #oops Geaux Tigers! 🙂
Kelsie says
Hmmmmmm. For now I suppose we can still be friends but come basketball season things might change. . .I say let’s meet in Baton Rouge! I’m hoping it’s not a total slaughter. Have a great weekend, David!
Mary Ann @ thebeachhousekitchen says
Oh, I can feel it Kelsie! We are HUGE college football fans! Our son Casey goes to University of Michigan, so we’re counting the days til the beginning of the season! And my nephew goes to Notre Dame and my brother-in-law went to Alabama!! I don’t get much sleep during the season because I’m always watching…and eating! These brownies will definitely need to be added to the football watching menu! They sound and look delish!
Kelsie says
OMG how do you decide who to root for? You’re pretty much always represented in the post season :). Thank you Mary Ann! Hope your week is going well!
Milena | Craft Beering says
Am I glad to see these beauties!! I knew I’d be rewarded for getting up early this morning:) I mean – beer brownies and on top of that you put pretzels in them? Even though I do not care for football one bit (sorry:), I am still going to eat these. Pinned!
Kelsie says
Oh I was hoping you’d like them :). And you can totally eat them without watching football, haha! Hope you’re having a great week!
Miriam @londonkitchendiaries says
What an incredible flavour combination, Kelsie! As a German this is my kind of dessert and great for the football season 🙂
Miriam xx
Kelsie says
Thank you Miriam! Have a great weekend!