Brezeln - German Pretzel Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What makes German pretzels different? ›

These authentic Bavarian pretzels are different than their American counterpart soft pretzels because they are dipped in a more traditional lye mixture. In fact, the German name for these pretzels laugenbrezel literally translates to “lye pretzels.”

Unlike their American counterpart, Bavarian pretzels pack a denser, chewier inside and a darker, crispier outside. And there's a certain "tang" to the Bavarian-style pretzel that sets it apart from other soft pretzels. But best of all, it doesn't need to be dipped in cheese or drenched in butter to taste delicious!

Lye. The dough is simple; take a basic yeast-risen dough that can be readied in an afternoon. But the trick to great pretzels is dipping the pretzels in a liquid wash before baking — and not just any wash, but a combination of water and lye. That's what gives pretzels their terrific color, texture and flavor.

Ways to Enjoy Your Homemade German Pretzels

While salt's usually the go-to topping, a typical pretzel will see a side of cheese sauce or mustard to dip. Other toppings for pretzels have expanded to include cinnamon, powdered white/brown sugar, glazes (typically sweet ones), seeds, and nuts.

Pretzels in Germany

The major difference between pretzels in different regions is their thickness. For example, the Swabian pretzels have thin “arms” and a fat “belly." They are quite rich in fat content. Whereas, in the Bavarian region the “arms” are thick and they have thin “bellies” to avoid the extra fat.

Bread flour provides more structure

Gluten helps provide structure, allowing a baked good to have more body and sturdiness. As a result, bread flour will make it easier for a pretzel to hold its shape. This can be an advantage to beginner bakers, especially since the shape of a pretzel is so important.

Overall, the pretzel has a rich and complex history that reflects the many cultural and religious traditions that have shaped Europe over the centuries. Whether enjoyed as a simple snack or used as a symbol of love and good luck, the German pretzel remains a beloved and iconic part of German culture to this day.

The Butter Pretzel is a southern German favorite. This is a pretzel sliced in half. Both halfves are smeared with butter, then put back together to form a "butter sandwich."

Furthermore, we've introduced the baking soda bath. While it sounds strange, this step is what gives pretzels that iconic flavor, chewy texture, helps deepen their golden color in the oven, and locks in the super soft interior.

Products sold at Auntie Anne's franchise locations are baked fresh in-store. In order to provide you with a great Auntie Anne's experience at home, we use the same proprietary blend of flour used in our stores.

What is the lie for making pretzels? ›

Lye is primarily used to make pretzels, and it's the reason for their unmistakable shiny, mahogany color. To prepare, shaped pretzels are dipped in a lye bath, then baked in the oven. This method can also be used with rolls or buns. Once lye-dipped pretzels are baked, they're totally safe (and delicious!) to eat.

The origin of pretzels is in Germany, in particular around Stuttgart, although the Bavarians claim having invented the pretzels, and they are sold with crumbles of salt. Salt is the standard. You can also get them with butter additionally, or with lunch meat, ham, cheese, spread cheese.

"Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper." Traditional German breakfast is a simple breakfast. It consists of different varieties of Brötchen (bread rolls), marmalade or jam, chocolate spread, cheeses, hams, salami, Schwarzwälder, and honey.

Mealtimes: When and what do Germans eat? People in Germany generally have three or four meals a day: breakfast, a midday meal, an evening meal, and possibly Kaffee und Kuchen (we'll get to this in a minute) in the afternoon.

Another theory suggests that the pretzel may have originated in Southern Germany as a form of pretiola, a type of Roman unleavened bread that was twisted and salted. Over time, the pretiola evolved into the pretzel we know today, gaining popularity in various regions of Germany.

In any case, the pretzel has very early roots in Southern Germany, as well, where it is typically credited as the birthplace of soft pretzels. As early as the 12th century, German pretzel bakers used the pretzel shape in the emblem for their guild (kind of like a union), and also for their own coat of arms.

The magic ingredients

No one makes pretzels quite like the Bavarians, however pretzels generally come in two forms: hard and soft. German-style pretzels tend to be soft, while the hard variety, to the east, are the type commonly referred to as pretzels found in grocery stores and gas stations.

Unfortunately, pretzels have more carbs and twice as much sodium compared to typical salted potato chips, so pretzels may not be the healthier choice depending on your health needs. Hard pretzels can, therefore, be a good alternative to chips if you're lowering your fat or caloric intake.