Brezeln: Soft, salted pretzels.
Classic Soft Pretzels, commonly known as Brezeln in German-speaking countries, are a type of baked pastry that is made from dough twisted into a unique knot shape. They have a distinctive chewy texture with a golden-brown crust, typically sprinkled with coarse salt. Often associated with Bavarian culture, these pretzels can be enjoyed as a snack or paired with dips. They are traditionally made by creating a yeast dough, shaping it into the iconic pretzel form, dipping in a baking soda bath for the characteristic flavor and texture, and then baking to perfection. Perfect for an afternoon treat or as party snacks, these soft pretzels can also be topped with various seeds, cheese, or spices for added flavor.
Introduction:
Welcome to my kitchen! As we anticipate the joys of Oktoberfest, we delve into a cornerstone of Bavarian bakery - the classic Bavarian Pretzel. Taught by my German baker colleague, today's recipe honors the traditional techniques and highlights the subtle differences between Bavarian and Swabian pretzels. Hold onto your lederhosen – we're about to embark on a delicious, twisty journey.
Ingredients:
- 100g wheat flour (Type 550)
- 60g warm water
- 10g sourdough starter (or 1g yeast as an alternative)
- 240g very cold water
- 400g wheat flour (Type 550)
- 10g salt
- 10g sugar
- 5g baking malt (or honey as an alternative)
- 10g fresh yeast
- 15g butter
Instructions:
1. Start by preparing a pre-dough. Combine 100g flour with 60g warm water and 10g of your sourdough starter. Alternatively, use 1g of yeast if you do not have a sourdough starter. Mix until well-blended, forming a small amount of dough by hand until the surface is clean, and form into a dough ball.
2. Place the dough in a bowl, cover it, and allow it to rest for 12 hours at room temperature to double in size.
3. For the actual dough, place the pre-dough in a stand mixer. Add in 240g of very cold water, ensuring it is as cold as can be straight from the tap. This prevents the dough from warming too much, which could cause issues during shaping.
4. Add 400g flour, 10g salt, 10g sugar, 5g baking malt (or honey), and 10g fresh yeast to the mixer. Start the mixer at a low speed to combine the ingredients.
5. As the dough starts coming together, increase the speed of the mixer and knead for approximately 15 minutes until the dough is firm and smooth. It should not overheat or become too warm.
6. Remove the dough, shape it into a smooth ball, and let it rest for roughly 20 minutes under a damp cloth.
7. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 230°C (approximately 450°F).
8. After the dough has rested, begin portioning the dough into 80g pieces. Roll each piece into a long, thin rope, resting periodically to allow the gluten to relax, making it easier to shape.
9. Shape each rope into a traditional Bavarian Pretzel by keeping the thickness uniform throughout and finishing with the classic twist.
10. Prepare a lye bath with 1 liter of water and 40-45g of lye pearls, using cold water to prevent the lye solution from heating up.
11. Let the shaped pretzels rest for approximately 60 to 90 minutes, then place them in the refrigerator to firm up for easier handling.
12. Carefully dip each pretzel into the lye solution for a few seconds, ensuring they are wearing safety gear, as lye can be caustic.
13. Place the dipped pretzels on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, sprinkle generously with coarse pretzel salt, and bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes until they achieve a deep brown color.
Prep Time: 12 hours and 40 minutes (including dough resting)
Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
Total Time: 12 hours and 50 minutes
Equipment: Stand mixer, baking sheets, parchment paper, safety gear for handling lye
Cooking Tips: Bavarian Pretzels do not require a scoring cut before baking, unlike Swabian pretzels.
Servings: Yields approximately 10 pretzels
This authentic Bavarian Pretzel recipe is brought to you by Marcel Paa from his YouTube channel Einfach Backen. Enjoy the taste of Bavaria right from your own oven!
Marcel Paa's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@marcelpaa
#chatgpt #breadbaking #pretzels #oktoberfest
YouTube channel - Einfach Backen - Marcel Paa: https://www.youtube.com/@marcelpaa
Brezeln: Soft, salted pretzels.
Comments