Pretzel Bites with Beer Cheese Dipping Sauce

Pretzel Bites:

Ingredients:

6 cups water

1/4 cup baking soda

1-13.8 ounces package Pillsbury pizza crust (or other vegan pizza crust or homemade)

Approximately 1/4 cup unsweetened nondairy milk

Approximately 1 tablespoon coarse sea salt

Beer Cheese Dipping Sauce (recipe follows)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Open pizza dough package, unroll onto work surface, cut into four even strips, roll each strip tightly into a long rope, pinch long edge to seal, and reshape by rolling with your fingertips on work surface. To make bites. cut into 1 inch pieces.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or Silpat sprayed with non-stick spray for extra assurance against sticking. In large saucepan, bring water to a boil over high heat. Stir in baking soda—it will foam up—and reduce heat to a gentle boil or simmer.

Add half of bites or 2 pretzels and cook for 45 seconds. Remove with slotted spoon to work surface and blot with paper towel. Repeat with remaining dough.

Pour nondairy milk into a small bowl and dip each bite before placing on prepared baking sheet about 1-inch apart. Sprinkle tops of bites or pretzels lightly with salt.

Bake 15 to 18 minutes or until deep golden brown, rotating sheet once during baking. (Make Beer Cheese Dipping Sauce while pretzels bake.) Remove sheet from oven and use a spatula to lift bites onto serving platter. (To reheat, wrap in foil and place in a 350-degree oven for a few minutes.)

Beer Cheese Dipping Sauce:

Ingredients:

8 ounces Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese, plain or Smoked

6 Tofutti America Slices, torn into quarters

Optional: 2 tablespoons vegan parmesan

1/2 cup vegan beer (consult Barnivore for vegan brands)

1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Optional: approximately 2 teaspoons stone ground mustard or horseradish to taste

Directions:

Place Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese in microwave-safe bowl and heat for about 45 seconds. Remove and whisk until smooth. Add Tofutti American Slices (and vegan parmesan if using) along with beer and heat another 45 seconds. Whisk all together until completely combined and very smooth.

Season with black pepper and optional stone ground mustard or horseradish to taste. Whisk and serve alongside pretzels or bites. You may alternatively prepare the sauce in a double boiler following the same method and allowing more time for melting and heating.

*Created exclusively for Tofutti Brands, Inc. by Betsy DiJulio of The Blooming Platter.