Teresa's Recipes
Authentic German Bretzels
Embrace the heart and soul of traditional German baking with these Authentic German Bretzels! Soft, fluffy, and chewy on the inside with a delightful golden crust that's slightly crunchy, these homemade pretzels take your taste buds on a delightful culinary journey. Sprinkled with coarse salt for a savory finish, these pretzels are perfect for Oktoberfest celebrations or simply as a delectable snack. Pair them with mustard or beer cheese to complete the authentic German experience.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups Warm water
- 1 tablespoon Granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons Active dry yeast
- 4 1/2 cups All-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons Salt
- 2/3 cup Baking soda
- as needed for sprinkling Coarse salt
Dietary Notes
- Servings: 8
- Dish Type: Snack
- Prep Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Calories: 350
- Fat: 1g
- Carbs: 72g
- Protein: 10g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Sugar: 1g
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the warm water, active dry yeast, and granulated sugar. Let it sit for approximately 5 minutes until it becomes foamy.
- In a separate large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and salt. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and pour in the yeast mixture.
- Combine the mixture until a dough starts to form. Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead it for about 5 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
- Place the kneaded dough in a greased bowl. Cover it with a clean kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until the dough doubles in size.
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper.
- In a large pot, boil 10 cups of water. Once boiling, add the baking soda and stir until it has completely dissolved.
- Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a long rope and shape it into the classic pretzel shape.
- Carefully dip each pretzel into the boiling water and baking soda mixture for about 30 seconds. Then, transfer them to the prepared baking sheet.
- Generously sprinkle each pretzel with coarse salt, then bake for 12-15 minutes, or until they turn golden brown.
- Remove the pretzels from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving. Enjoy these traditional pretzels warm with a side of mustard or beer cheese dip.
Tips
- For a variation, consider adding sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or even cheese on top before baking.
- You can also make pretzel bites by cutting the dough into small pieces before boiling and baking.