Laugenbrezel | The best homemade pretzel recipe

Baked GoodsRecipes
3 minutes reading time

My family lives in Germany, and whenever we visit, I always get a pretzel, which you cannot get here in Denmark. So try my soft pretzels recipe; you will not be disappointed.

It is a soft pretzel; the crust is dark and chewy, the inside is white and soft, and crunchy salt is sprinkled on top.

I also have a recipe for absolutely fantastic sourdough pretzels.

If you make these pretzels and post a picture on Instagram, please tag me as @foodgeek.dk so I can see your result. Thanks.

Ingredients 12 Servings

  • Dough

  • Butter, unsalted 50 g
  • All-purpose Flour 650 g
  • Water 350 ml
  • Fresh Yeast Or you can use 1½ tsp instant yeast 25 g
  • Salt 2 tsps

  • Soda solution

  • Water 1 l
  • Caustic soda Alternatively you can use 100 grams of baking soda 30 g

Directions

  1. Warm the water in the microwave until it is lukewarm.
  2. Dissolve the yeast in the water and add butter and salt.
  3. Put the mixture and ¾ of the flour in your machine.
  4. Start the machine with a dough hook attached at medium speed.
  5. When the dough comes together, add flour little by little until the dough is a bit moist on the surface but does not stick to your finger._MG_8423
  6. Remove the dough from the machine and put it in an oiled bowl, and let it proof for an hour someplace warm._MG_8437
  7. When the dough doubles, remove it from the bowl and roll it into a sausage.
  8. Divide the dough into 12 evenly sized pieces._MG_8440
  9. Take a piece of dough and roll it into a sausage, thicker in the middle. It should be around 50 cm long.
    _MG_8448
  10. Bend each end away from yourself, cross them, and fold it over the thick part._MG_8450
  11. Follow the same procedure for the rest of the pieces._MG_8452
  12. Put the folded pretzels in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
  13. Pour 1 liter of water into a container that can withstand heat. Pour in 30g caustic soda and mix with a wooden spoon until it is completely dissolved. Please use gloves when handling the soda solution.
  14. If using baking soda, heat the water in a pan just until before it boils, pour in the baking soda, and mix with a wooden spoon till it is completely dissolved.
  15. Turn the oven on to 225° C (440° F).
  16. The pretzels must be dipped in the solution for around 30 seconds each. Use a slotted spoon to put them in and take them out. You can add as many as you have room for without them touching._MG_8455
  17. Make sure to let any excess solution drip off before putting them on the pan.
  18. Sprinkle sea salt on the pretzels.
    _MG_8459
  19. Make a deep cut with a sharp knife in the thick part of the pretzel.
  20. Bake for 12-15 minutes, depending on how dark you like them.
  21. Enjoy!

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