Homemade Pretzel – Pareve version

👨‍🍳 Method

For the Dough base

1. 1
   Mix the flour, yeast, sugar and salt in a large bowl.

   Bowl
2. 2
   Add the lukewarm water and butter and Knead about 8 minutes, until the dough is smooth, pliable and doesn't stick to your hands.

   ⚙ KneadingBowlStand mixer

   💡For yeast dough, use the windowpane test: a small piece stretches into a thin, translucent sheet without tearing, and that's the sign the kneading is done. Add flour only by the tablespoon, and only if the dough is still sticky after a few minutes: too much flour makes a tough dough.
3. 3
   Cover and Let rise 1 hour in a warm place, until the dough doubles in size.

   ⚙ ProofingPlastic wraporKitchen towel

   💡Let rise in a warm, draft-free spot. The dough is ready when it has doubled, and a gentle finger press leaves a dent that fills back slowly; if it springs right back, wait longer.

To assemble

1. 4
   Divide the dough into 8 balls and roll each ball into a rope long.

   Bench scraper
2. 5
   Shape each rope into a pretzel and place the pretzels on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

   Baking panParchment paper
3. 6
   Let rise another 20 minutes.

   ⚙ ProofingPlastic wraporKitchen towel
4. 7
   Preheat the oven to 220°C (430°F).

   ⚙ Preheating the OvenOven

   💡Put things in the oven only once it's reached temperature, after the heating light has gone off: an oven that hasn't reached temperature changes baking times, and the bake burns outside or stays underbaked.
5. 8
   In a wide pot, bring the water with the baking soda to a boil and cook each pretzel in it 30 seconds per side. Lift out with a slotted spoon and return to the baking sheet.

   StoveWide, shallow potSlotted spoon

   💡The short boil sets the surface of the dough before baking: the crust comes out shiny and chewy and the inside stays soft. Boiling too long thickens the crust and keeps the ring from rising in the oven.

   💡Baking soda in the water gives the crust a deep brown color and a pretzel flavor.
6. 9
   Brush the pretzels with beaten eggs and sprinkle the sesame seeds and coarse salt on top.

   Pastry brush
7. 10
   Bake 12–15 minutes, until the pretzels browned.

   ⚙ BakingOvenBaking pan

   💡Check by the cue (until…), not just the clock: every oven bakes a little differently.