German New Year Pretzel Recipe

Name: German New Year Pretzel
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 6 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast; 1 cup lukewarm milk, divided; 4 1/2 tablespoons white sugar; 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, sifted, or more as needed; 4 1/2 tablespoons melted butter; 1 egg; 1 teaspoon lemon zest; 1 pinch salt; 1 egg yolk; 1 teaspoon white sugar, or as needed

Servings: persons

1
Dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup milk in a bowl; add 4 1/2 tablespoons sugar. Let stand until the yeast softens and begins to form a creamy foam, about 5 minutes.
2
Stir yeast mixture and 2 1/4 cups flour together in a bowl until dough is dry and clumpy. Allow dough to rise for 15 minutes. Add remaining 1/2 cup milk, butter, egg, lemon zest, and salt to dough until evenly mixed.
3
Knead dough, adding more flour as needed, until dough is elastic. Cover bowl with a clean damp towel or plastic wrap and allow dough to rise in a warm area until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
4
Preheat oven to 390 degrees F (199 degrees C). Grease a baking sheet.
5
Gently knead dough; roll into a long rope on the prepared baking sheet and twist into a pretzel shape. Cover dough with a clean towel or plastic wrap and allow to rise for 15 minutes more.
6
Brush egg yolk over dough and sprinkle 1 teaspoon sugar over egg yolk.
7
Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes.

538

kcal

Calories

Fat

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Avoid overcrowding the pan — cook in batches if needed for the best texture.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors settle.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Use a neutral oil or a plant-based spread in place of butter for a dairy-free version.
Brown sugar instead of white sugar adds a deeper, more caramel-like flavor.
A good 1:1 gluten-free flour blend works well if you need a gluten-free version.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

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How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 10 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 6 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast, 1 cup lukewarm milk, divided, 4 1/2 tablespoons white sugar, 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, sifted, or more as needed, and more.

Yes, German New Year Pretzel falls under the General category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently before serving.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

German New Year Pretzel

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions