Bavarian Soft Pretzels from Cosmopolitan Cornbread (2024)

Making German style soft pretzels at home is not difficult at all. As a matter of fact, you’ll love just how easy…and delicious they are!

When we lived in Germany, there were food trucks that you would see here and there that had some of the most amazing foods you could imagine. The ice cream truck with the super-creamy fresh, hazelnut ice cream, or the Greek truck with the gyros, or the Pommes Frites – ahh….

Another favorite were these fresh, soft Brezl that we would get at the fests – they are traditionally served with mustard, along side a pint of Bier!

The other day when I made these, my husband literally got down on his knees and begged me to make a whole ‘nother batch for him to take to work the next day.

I did.

Where’s my Super Wife cape?

I add several new posts every week – Sign Up for the Free Newsletter and Never Miss a Thing!

How to Make Homemade Pretzels – Bavarian (German) Style

To begin, place 1 1/2 cups of warm water in a mixing bowl, with 1 tablespoon of brown sugar and 2 teaspoons of kosher salt.

Sprinkle 2 1/2 teaspoons of active dry yeast over the top of the water and let it sit about 10 minutes until it gets bubbly.

Place your bowl under the mixer, fitted with a dough hook, and add in 4 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour

and 1/4 cup of melted butter. Let the mixer run for about 4 minutes, until the dough comes away from the bowl and is nice and smooth.

Form the dough into a ball and place it in a clean, oiled bowl, Turn the dough to coat it with oil. Cover the bowl with a tea towel or plastic wrap and let it rest in a warm place for an hour, or until the dough is doubled in size.

When the dough is risen, grab a large pot and put 2 quarts plus 2 cups of water in it along with 2/3 cup of baking soda. (Traditional pretzels are given a bath of lye water – but frankly, lye is terrifying to me. This option is much more doable.) Bring the water to a full boil.

Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 450 degrees. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and lightly spray the paper with oil. Set aside.

Now grab your dough while the water is heating up and turn it out onto a lightly oiled surface.

Cut the dough into 8 equal portions.

Take one portion and roll it into a long snake, about 2 feet long.

To shape the pretzel, bring the ends up,

Twist once and then again.

And turn the ends down towards the bottom and press the ends gently against the dough where it crosses.

With a slotted spatula, gently place the pretzel in the boiling water for 30 seconds.

Lift the pretzel out and place it on the baking sheet. Repeat the process with the remaining 7 pretzels.

Grab an egg and separate it. Beat the yolk with a tablespoon of water and brush the tops of the pretzels with the mixture.

Sprinkle with some pretzel salt (if you can find it) or some kosher salt.

Bake the pretzels for 12-14 minutes or until dark golden brown. Enjoy!!

Did you Make this Recipe? I’d love for you to give me a 5 star rating in the recipe card below. If you share it on Instagram, please tag me!