Beer and Pretzels

by Garrett

Beer and pretzels go together like peas and carrots. Both beer and pretzels play starring roles in this dessert.

The dish starts with a chocolate stout cake. It’s the same cake recipe I used in my Pumpkin Ice Cream Sandwich. The cake is extremely moist. The chocolate is a background flavor to the maltiness and bitterness of the stout beer. The cake is soaked in cherry Lambic Ale to add even more moisture and beer flavor. After soaking it’s covered in stout ganache then filled with a pretzel infused caramel.

Opposite the cake is a sweet and salty pretzel ice cream. It’s sitting on top of some crushed pretzels and topped with black Hawaiian lava salt.

Finally, I used the leftover cherry Lambic that I didn’t use to soak the cake (or drink) to create a thin gel of beer which I then cut into pretzel shapes. Some stewed cherries add an extra cherry element, because the fruit pairs fantastically with beer, pretzels, and chocolate.

Want the recipe for this beer and pretzel dessert? I’m more than happy to share. Simply click the link below and sign up for the Garrett’s Table monthly newsletter. I’ll include the recipe in my next mailing (5/1/2010). Each newsletter contains updates from Garrett’s Table as well as subscriber only content. Signing up is easy and you can unsubscribe at any time.