Best 3 Bavarian Pretzels Recipes

PAPA DREXLER'S BAVARIAN PRETZELS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, stir together 1 cup of flour, yeast, sugar, 2 tablespoons of butter, and 1 1/3 cup water. Let this mixture stand until bubble begin to form, about 15 minutes. Stir in the salt and gradually stir in the remaining flour until dough can be picked up and kneaded on the counter. Knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes, adding more flour if needed.
• Divide the dough into 6 pieces and let them rest for a few minutes. Roll out one piece at a time into a rope about 15 inches long. Loop and twist into that cool pretzel shape. Set on a baking sheet while you roll out the remaining portions.
• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (220 degrees C). Bring the remaining 3 cups of water to a boil and add the baking soda. Remove from the heat. Dip pretzels into the water bath for about 45 seconds, flipping over about halfway through. Place the soaked pretzels on a greased baking sheet. Brush them with melted butter and sprinkle with coarse salt.
• Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes.

BAVARIAN-STYLE SOFT PRETZELS

Steps:

• In a mixing bowl (or bowl of a mixer), stir together syrup, lard or butter, yeast, 2 cups warm water and half the flour. Add kosher salt and remaining flour and stir just until mixture comes together in a shaggy mass.
• Turn out onto counter (or attach dough hook to mixer) and knead for 8 to 10 minutes, until smooth and supple. Cut into 12 pieces and let rest 5 minutes.
• Roll out each piece into a rope about 22 inches long. (For traditional shape, the ends should be thin and the center fat.) Lift both ends, twist them around each other once, then bring ends back and press them on either side of fat "belly," at about 4 o'clock and 8 o'clock. Then gently spread out "shoulders" of pretzel. Transfer shaped pretzels to an ungreased baking sheet. (Alternatively, form each piece into a round or oval to make laugenbrötchen, rolls.)
• Let rest at room temperature for 30 minutes, then refrigerate at least one hour or overnight.
• Heat oven to 425 degrees. In a deep bowl, wearing rubber or latex gloves, make a solution of 1/2 cup lye and 10 cups water (or 1 part lye to 20 parts water); pour lye carefully into water to avoid splashing. Dip each pretzel in solution, turning it over for 10 to 15 seconds, and place back on baking sheet.
• Sprinkle pretzels with salt. Bake about 15 minutes or until deep brown. Remove to a rack and serve warm.

BAVARIAN PRETZELS/ PRETZEL ROLLS (LAUGENBREZELN)

Steps:

• Place the flour in the bowl of a stand mixer.
• Using the paddle attachment stir in the butter on low speed until it is evenly distributed and the texture of coarse cornmeal, 1-2 minutes.
• Pour in the water and sprinkle on the yeast and salt.
• Switch to the dough hook and knead on medium until very smooth and pliable, about 8-10 minutes.
• Shape the dough into a ball and place in a large well oiled bowl.
• Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let stand in a warm place, (70-75 degrees) for about 1 hour until it has slightly expanded and risen to a dome.
• Lightly oil a baking sheet, (I use parchment paper).
• Turn the dough out onto an unfloured countertop and pat into a rough rectangle.
• Cut the dough into 8 equal pieces.
• At this point you can shape the dough into either pretzels or rolls.
• Arrange the rolls on the baking sheet at least 1 inch apart and cover with plastic wrap.
• Place the baking sheet in the refrigerator for 2-24 hours.The dough will not necessarily rise while refrigerated, but it helps them to hold their shape while handling.
• Boiling and Baking:.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Bring 4 quarts of water to a boil in a wide 6 quart kettle, (I highly recommend you do not use a teflon coated kettle as I ruined my brand new Calphalon pot this way. The baking soda is acidic).
• ***IMPORTANT- Add the baking soda slowly, (The water will bubble like crazy when you add the baking soda and can boil over furiously if added too fast).
• Turn the heat down to a healthy simmer.
• Add the rolls 1 at a time to the boiling water and allow each roll to rise to the surface before adding the next one. (I only make about 3-4 at a time).
• After each roll has risen to the surface, let cook for about 20 seconds and then flip over with a slotted spoon and cook the other side for 20 seconds.
• Remove the rolls from the water with a slotted spoon, draining them well and place on a freshly oiled baking sheet. (I use parchment paper). Repeat until all rolls have been boiled.
• Sprinkle the rolls with salt or seeds if desired and place the baking sheet in the oven for 30-35 minutes.
• When nicely browned remove the rolls from the oven to a cooling rack and let cool at least 10 minutes.
• If you have any leftover, place the rolls in a plastic bag and they will be good for about 1-2 days, (We have never had leftovers *wink*).
• ****If making "Pretzel Dogs" simply flatten the piece of dough by hand into a rectangle (Step 10) big enough to accomodate your hot dog (I pat the hot dog dry with paper towels first). Place hot dog on long side of dough rectangle and roll up tucking in the sides and pinching the seams so they are well sealed. Continue with/to step 11.