Soft Pretzels

Ingredients

• 480 gFlour
• 1 tspSalt
• 1 tbspSugar
• 7 gYeast
• 360 mlWater
• 1 pcsEgg white
• 1 pcsEgg

Instructions

1. 1

   Activate yeast

   • Pour warm water (about 40 °C) into a bowl. Add the yeast and sugar and stir briefly.
   • Let stand 10 minutes until the yeast becomes foamy.
2. 2

   Make the dough

   • Combine flour and salt in a large bowl.
   • Add the yeast mixture and mix roughly, then knead on a lightly floured surface for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
   • Shape into a ball, place in an oiled bowl, cover and let rise in a warm place for about 45–60 minutes until doubled.
3. 3

   Shape

   • Divide the risen dough into 4 equal pieces (for 4 large pretzels).
   • Roll each piece into a rope about 45 cm long.
   • Form the traditional pretzel shape by making a loop with the middle, crossing the ends, giving a half-twist at the crossing point, and folding the ends toward the middle so they overlap.
4. 4

   Brush and sprinkle

   • Preheat oven to 220 °C (about 425 °F).
   • Brush the shaped pretzels with egg white (or a beaten whole egg) for shine.
   • Sprinkle coarse salt over the pretzels.
5. 5

   Bake

   • Place the pretzels on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake 12–15 minutes until evenly golden brown and shiny.
   • Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving warm.