Homemade Pretzels

First, I recommend dissolving the yeast in 250ml warm water and 3 tbsp sugar. Mix well and let stand for 10 minutes until it starts to make a light foam.

Meanwhile, mix flour with 1 tsp salt.

Now pour in the yeast mixture and the oil. 

Stir well, usind a spatula or a spoon at first, so that your hands don't get very dirty.

When all the ingredients are blended, turn dough onto floured table and knead for 2 more minutes.

Shape a ball and let rest for 10 minutes in a bowl or on the table.

After this time, knead for 2-3 minutes more, to make sure the dough is completely uniform.

Then let rest for another 20 minutes.

Now dough is very soft and easy to mould. 

Cut in 8 equal parts from which we will shape 8 pretzels.

We shape the homemade pretzels like this:

- take each piece of dough and roll with your palms into a thin rope, approximately 8mm-1cm in diameter; 

- Then make a U-shape with the rope;

- Take the upper ends of the rope, cross them over each other and bring them to the bottom of the U in the shape of a pretzel.

I recommend shaping 4 pretzels at first. Let rise on the table for about 20 minutes. 

Don't shape the other 4 yet, leave them for now.

While the pretzels are rising, prepare 3l water and 3 tbsp baking soda in a pot and bring to a boil.

Then carefully lift up each pretzel, and sink in the boiling water for 20-30 seconds. 

Advice - you can lift the pretzels more easily if you grab them at the bottom of the U and secure the "feet" with your fingers.

You can remove the hot pretzels using a large skimmer. 

Place pretzels in the baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Adjust the shape with the fingers now, if needed.

After boiling the first 4 pretzels, quickly brush some egg white on top. 

Skip this step for the vegetarian recipe.

Spread over salt flakes, sesami, poppy or other seeds, according to your likes.

Bake in preaheated oven to 200 degrees C until dark golden brown in colour, about 20 minutes. 

Don't rush to remove too early - they have to have a darker brown colour, this is how you make sure they are crispy on the outside. 

While the first 4 pretzels are baking, repeat with the next 4: shape, boil, brush and decorate, using a different baking sheet.

Here I wanted to take a picture of the inside: it's fluffy and soft. 

These homemade pretzels are wonderful, you should definitely try them. 

Enjoy!