Bavarian Pretzel Recipe
Soft pretzel served with cheese sauce.
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Ingredients
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Pretzel Dough
Cheese Sauce
Method
Pretzel Dough Preparation
- 1
Activate the Yeast
In a large mixing bowl, combine warm water (1.5 cups), granulated sugar (1 tablespoon), and active dry yeast (1 tablespoon). Stir gently and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until frothy.
- 2
Mix the Dough
Once the yeast mixture is frothy, add melted butter (2 tablespoons), salt (1 tablespoon), and all-purpose flour (4 cups) gradually. Mix until a dough begins to form.
- 3
Knead the Dough
Transfer the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place the kneaded dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
- 4
Shape the Pretzels
After the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into 8 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a long rope (about 24 inches), then shape it into a pretzel.
- 5
Prepare Baking Soda Bath
In a large pot, bring about 10 cups of water to a boil and add baking soda (0.5 cups) to it.
- 6
Boil the Pretzels
Carefully drop each pretzel into the boiling baking soda bath for about 30 seconds, then remove with a slotted spoon and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- 7
Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C).
- 8
Bake the Pretzels
Sprinkle coarse sea salt (2 tablespoons) over the boiled pretzels and bake in the preheated oven for about 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.
Cheese Sauce Preparation
- 9
Make the Roux
In a saucepan over medium heat, melt unsalted butter (2 tablespoons). Once melted, add all-purpose flour (2 tablespoons) and whisk for about 1 minute until it forms a paste.
- 10
Add Milk
Gradually whisk in milk (1 cup) and cook, whisking constantly, until the mixture thickens.
- 11
Add Cheese and Seasoning
Remove from heat and stir in shredded cheddar cheese (1.5 cups), salt (0.5 tsp), black pepper (0.25 tsp), and garlic powder (0.5 tsp) until smooth and creamy.