Pretzel (Brezel)
(Pretzel, Bretzel, Brezl, Breze, Brezn, Brezen, Precita, Bretzel d'Alsace)
Considered an iconic symbol of Germany, the pretzel is a type of traditional baked good that is made by combining flour, salt, malt, yeast, and water. The resulting dough is then shaped into a well-known knotted shape of a pretzel before it is baked.
Pretzels are often dipped in a lye solution (natronlauge in German) before they are baked, and then they are called laugenbrezel, a Bavarian-style pretzel distinguished by a nice, brown, and crispy exterior that surrounds the soft interior.
Coarse salt is usually sprinkled over the surface of the pretzels, but other toppings may also be used, including sesame, pumpkin, sunflower, or poppy seeds. Regional variations of the pretzel abound, with some of them using fat to obtain a softer dough and others calling for different types of flour such as whole wheat flour or spelt flour. Read more
German pretzels come in both sweet and savory versions, and their texture may range from soft to hard. They are usually enjoyed warm as a snack with butter or along with German wurst sausages and a cold German beer on the side for an authentic German experience.
The pretzel is a favorite street snack and a staple at any festival, holiday, and Christmas market in the country. Its versatile nature has given rise to numerous variations including New Year’s pretzels (neujahrbrezel), Oktoberfest pretzels (also called wiesnbrezn), and Lent pretzels (fastenbrezeln), among many others.
In Alsace, France, the pretzel is known as bretzel d'Alsace.
Serve with
Limburger
Characterized by its pungent smell, Limburger is a semi-soft, smear-ripened cheese made from cow’s milk. It was first produced in the 19th century by Trappist ... Read more
Recipe variations
Pretzels
READY IN 3hThe following recipe is adapted from the The Oma Way: Authentic German Recipes website (www.theomaway.com).
Bavarian Pretzels
READY IN 55minThis next recipe is adapted from the All recipes website (www.allrecipes.com).
New Year's Pretzels
READY IN 1h 10minThis festive recipe is adapted from the Diary of a Mad Hausfrau website (www.diaryofamadhausfrau.com). German tradition includes wrapping a 1 cent coin into aluminum foil and tucking it into the pretzel before baking. Whoever finds the coin is believed to have extra luck in the following year. Take the resting time into account when planning.
Pudding Pretzels
READY IN 14h 38minThe next recipe is adapted from the Bake to the roots website (www.baketotheroots.de). Take the resting time into account when planning.
Pretzel (Brezel) Authentic recipe
The following recipe is adapted from the The Oma Way: Authentic German Recipes website (www.theomaway.com).
WHERE TO EAT The best Pretzel (Brezel) in the world (according to food experts)
Pretzel (Brezel) festivals
