Beer Pretzel Bowls
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Last week I had a sudden desire to serve soup in bread bowls. It was one of those strange things that I just suddenly needed in my life, even though I’d never had soup in a bread bowl. I just loved the idea of it. Warm comforting soup or chowder served in freshly made bread, how much better can it get? Being a last minute idea I wasn’t prepared to whip up my own, so I went on the hunt.
I threw out a tweet asking where to find bread bowls and received multiple responses suggesting bakeries and local grocery stores should carry them. Of course living where we do, or rather… living near the store we do, our options are limited and I’m usually taken by complete surprise when they have something I want that is anything slightly out of the ordinary. Well…apparently bread bowls have been discontinued. *Insert shocked and very sad face.* Bread bowls… discontinued?! It just seems weird. I mean it’s bread!
I did however receive confirmation that Panera does indeed have bread bowls for purchase but our nearest location is some 30 minutes away…strangely enough in the town we use to live in. That trip would have to wait for another day when I had more time to spare.
Fast forward several days, bread bowls were still very much on my mind. Have you ever had that happen…get a recipe or idea stuck in your head that you just have to make happen? This was the case. I knew it’d be my mission to make bread bowls sometime over the winter but when I set out to make a soup for Oktoberfest, it needed to be sooner than later. And specifically needed to be pretzel bowls… because beer, cheese, sausage, beer and pretzels just plain go together.
These take your standard time to whip up and require minimal patience but overall this recipe is cake. Do not fear the yeast! Use a stand mixer or food processor to pull the dough together. Two reasonable rising times, a quick soak in a bubbly baking soda bath followed by a generous helping of butter and salt before going in the oven. Out comes a fantastic, flavorful pretzel bread that is perfect to hollow out for soup or eat as a snack with spicy mustard.
Beer pretzel bowls
Ingredients
- 3 C bread flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp granulated sugar
- 1 1/4 C beer
- 2 1/4 tsp rapid rise yeast
- 1/3 C baking soda
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter melted
- Course salt for topping
Instructions
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine flour, salt and sugar.
- In a heat safe measuring cup, microwave  beer in 30 second intervals until it reaches 110-115F°. Add yeast, allow to sit for 5-10 minutes to begin activating.
- Turn mixer on low, slowly pour beer mixture in. Mix until dough pulls away from bowl and begins forming a ball.
- Lightly grease a large bowl with olive oil. Transfer dough ball to prepared bowl, cover and allow to rise until double in size - roughly 45-60 minutes. Divide into four equal portions, forming each into a smooth ball. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and allow to rise for an additional 20-30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 375F°.
- Add 3 inches of water to a large stockpot, bring to a boil. Carefully add baking soda (*this will bubble up immediately). Using a sharp knife, slash an 'x' into the top of each ball of dough. Carefully add to boiling water, cooking each side for 30 seconds. Transfer to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking sheet.
- Generously brush with melted butter and sprinkle with course salt.
- Bake for 25 minutes or until a dark golden brown. Cool on a wire rack.
- Remove dome top and hollow out all but 1 inch around the exterior if using as a bowl.
Notes
I’m coming over. Great. Now I want bread.
Now this is my kind of bread bowl!!
i’m going to try it,looks good.
These are gorgeous!
ooo i want that. I want that for a cheddar broc soup.
This my dear, is a fantastic idea!!
I definitely need to make these soon. Perfect with so many fall soups and stews!
Being a carb addict – this looks like a fun recipe. So gonna try it.
I’m drooling. Seriously. I want that bread in my mouth like now. I’ve never actually had a soup bread bowl either. Every time I’m in Panera I look longingly at them but for some reason never actually order it!
I cant believe bread bowls have been discontinued! So crazy!!! I am going to need to make these soon, bc I LOVE soup in bread bowls. Mmmm, its the best!
these are a must make this winter!!
wow your bread bowls are GORGEOUS and so perfect looking!! i need to make these soon for all the soups im about to make!!
Ive been researching beer bread the past couple weeks – and you have me convinced I just need to make some, asap!
This bread looks so good! Makes me want to bake my own bread, too.
Come. To. MAMA!!
The look of the bread alone has me wanting to make a batch and not share it with anyone. It’s been a long time since I had anything in a bread bowl, and though I’ve been trying to cut the carbs a bit,I’m thinking I will have to make an exception for these beauties!! Pinning!!!
Wow, seriously gorgeous Rachel! Bread bowl perfection, I can’t wait to try these!!
YUM! I need some mustard and beer cheese- asap!
ok I am super excited to make these now that you said they are easy to make…makin’ bread always scares me for some reason….but pretzel bread bowls I must have!
These look amazing!!
These bread bowls are too cute (Not something I’ve even considered making until now)! Your beer and sausage soup really looked great in them! Mmmmmmm.
Ok – need. Not just want, but need. The moment I saw these I had to have them, now I need to figure out how to work them into my soup kitchen line up.
You are so inspiring for be to be a great cook! love your ideas looking forward to more awesome recipes
Oh my goodness, these are amazing. I love all of your bread recipes so much.
I just discovered this recipe and made these this afternoon. I filled them with cheddar potato soup; they were such a hit!
Thank you for all your amazing recipes. :)
Glad to hear you enjoyed it! Thanks for sharing :)
Can these be pretzel bowls be made a dad ahead? These look great.
You should be able to. Just keep in mind they won’t have quite the same freshness but will still taste great. Don’t store them in a completely airtight container.
Tomorrow is the day. Making pretzel bowls and your recipe for crock pot cheddar ale soup. Have you ever made that soup with Boston Lager? Thanks.
I haven’t. I’d suggest using a beer you enjoy the flavor of.
Have made these several times. Very good. I need a batch of 8. Should they turn out if I simply double ingredients, or best baked in two separate batches? Thanks
You can do it either way! Enjoy! :)