Ah, spring. You know it’s almost here when the snow starts to melt, the sun teases you with a few warmer days, and your allergies kick in like a marching band. You can tell it’s coming. But, oh, it’s Colorado—so even when the calendar says "spring," there’s still a solid chance that Mother Nature is going to throw a late snowstorm your way just to remind you who’s in charge around here. If you want to see true confusion, just watch a Coloradan try to decide whether to pack a winter jacket or a tank top. It’s an art form.

But despite the unpredictable weather, I’m getting excited. Because with spring comes the glorious start of baseball season, and nothing gets us through the long Colorado winters better than the thought of hot dogs at the ballpark, the crack of the bat, and, of course, our beloved Chicago Cubs.

Now, I’ll admit, this Cubs obsession runs deep. You see, we’ve got a little family legend around here—Miss Ivy. The story goes that Ivy’s name was chosen while her dad and I were watching a game, listening to Steve Stone wax poetic about the beautiful ivy on he outfield wall and my husband turned to me and said “If we ever have a little girl, lets name her Ivy.” If there’s one thing more iconic than the Cubs themselves, it’s that lush, green ivy growing on the outfield walls. So naturally, Ivy’s name is a love letter to that ivy—and to the game itself. I mean, we’re talking about a love for the Cubs that transcends reason. There’s memorabilia scattered around the house like it’s a museum (and I swear, we’ve almost had to send out a search party for a few lost items buried under Cubs gear). Her little brother (who’s actually a huge 6 foot tall pitcher for his varsity team) keeps the tradition going strong because we decided to spell his name with a Z instead of an X because the cubs had a pitcher who’s last name started with Z and everyone called him Big Z. By our logic, Zander could be little Z. Of course, now he’s Big Z.

Opening Day? Oh, it’s practically a national holiday in our house. We don’t care if it’s 30 degrees outside, snowing sideways, or if the Avs or Nuggets are in the playoff hunt —we are ready for some baseball. And when you’ve got a day that holds that much significance, you can’t just settle for any old snack. Nope, we’re going big, we’re going bold, and we’re going full-on pretzel-wrapped hot dog.

I know, I know. You’re probably thinking, "Isn’t that a bit much? Hot dogs are already great on their own!" And you’re right. Hot dogs are wonderful creatures. But why settle for just any hot dog when you can coat it in soft, warm pretzel dough and bake it into a carb-on-carb masterpiece that’s guaranteed to make your taste buds do the wave in your mouth?

So, whether you’re gearing up for Opening Day like us, or you just really like food that feels like a warm hug, here’s the recipe for my Pretzel-Wrapped Hot Dogs. You can thank me later.

Pretzel-Wrapped Hot Dogs Recipe: A Carb Lover’s Dream

Ingredients:

• 8 beef hot dogs (because if you’re going to do this, you better go all-in) we use Hebrew National, but if you’re going full Chicago you’ve got to get ahold of Vienna Beef…which is hard to do around here.
• 1 recipe of soft white dough. I make my own no-knead dough, but you can just grab some pizza dough from the store if you’re stuck for time.
• 1/4 cup baking soda
• 1 large egg (for egg wash, because you’re not just throwing dough around here, you want that golden, glossy finish)
• Coarse salt (the kind that makes you feel like you're fancy at the ballpark)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F. Yes, I know. It’s a small step, but trust me, it’s crucial. We don’t want any cold pretzels here.
2. Prep the hot dogs. Pat them dry with a paper towel. You don’t want soggy hot dogs, and that’s a statement of life I stand by.
3. Roll out the dough. Grab your pizza dough and roll it out on a floured surface until it’s about 1/4-inch thick. Now, I know you’re probably trying to avoid too much flour because you’re imagining your kitchen looking like a crime scene. But, trust me, just go with it. It’s going to be fine.
4. Cut the dough into strips. You want strips long enough to wrap around your hot dogs. Aim for about 3/4-inch wide. I don’t care if they’re perfectly uniform, but do try not to make them so wide that you end up with a dough monster swallowing your hot dog whole. Precision is key, but not too key.
5. Wrap the hot dogs. Take a strip of dough, wrap it around the hot dog, and pinch the ends to seal them. Don’t be shy here, make sure it’s snug—this isn’t a “loose sweater” situation. You want that dough to hug the hot dog like it’s giving it a warm, cozy embrace.
6. Soak them. In a large pan, combine hot water and stir in the baking soda (this is going to give you that chewy, golden crust we all crave in a pretzel). Traditionally, pretzels are boiled, but I’ve found that a soak works just as well and doesn’t mess up my perfectly wound doggers. Soak them for about 30 seconds to one minute per side and put them on parchment-lined baking sheet.
7. Egg wash time! Beat the egg and brush it over the pretzel-wrapped hot dogs to give them that shiny, golden-brown finish. Sprinkle with coarse salt—go heavy on it, because we're all about that salty goodness.
8. Bake ‘em up! Pop the hot dogs in the oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the dough is golden brown and your house smells like heaven (and baseball).
9. Serve with your favorite condiments. I’m not here to tell you how to live your life, I will say that this ARFID family usually just enjoys them as is. I like to dip them in cheese sauce, but you do what floats your boat.

Now, here’s the thing. The combination of soft, warm pretzel dough and juicy hot dogs is the perfect way to mark the return of baseball season. It’s like a big, salty, glorious celebration wrapped in a bun, and it’s so good you’ll feel like you’ve won the World Series every time you take a bite.

So there you have it—Opening Day, Ivy's name origins, and a recipe that could be the talk of the town (or at least your living room). I might not be able to predict the weather, but I can guarantee that with these Pretzel-Wrapped Hot Dogs, your Opening Day will be delicious. And if you’re lucky, maybe the Cubs will win. Or, you know, at least give us a solid game. Either way, we’ll be eating well.

Happy baseball season, y’all! And may your hot dogs always be wrapped in pretzels.