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New Year’s Pretzel Recipe

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The New Year’s Pretzel is a German tradition of baking a family-sized sweet pretzel and eating it at midnight to ring in the new year and bring in good luck for the year to come.

So they’re telling me all I have to do is eat a delicious pretzel for good fortune? You can count me in!

Whether it actually brings in luck or not, European style pretzels are a great addition to the New Year’s food spread. It’s slightly sweeter than a regular pretzel, plus it makes a beautifully edible centerpiece.

Traditionally, these pretzels are glazed with sugar, fruit, and nuts, and sometimes even sprinkles. I went with a basic sugar glaze and a pistachio sesame dukkah that I had on hand, but you can feel free to add any toppings you like!

Don’t be intimidated by the prep time for this recipe – a lot of that time is hands off and just letting the dough rise. 

What Is A New Year’s Pretzel? 

It is sweeter than a traditional pretzel, and instead of being boiled before baking, that step is omitted. It is a tradition to bring in good luck and fortune for the coming year, and it began in Germany. 

Do I Have To Use The Traditional Toppings?

Traditionally, new years pretzels are topped with a sugar glaze, nuts and dried fruit, but you can add whatever you like! Sprinkles, coconut flakes, raw sugar, the options are endless!

How Do I Knead Dough By Hand?

To knead dough, simply push the dough away from you using the heel of your palm, fold it over itself with your fingers, pull it back, and repeat.

Do this motion for 5-10 minutes, and this will ensure there is enough gluten in the dough to make a perfectly chewy pretzel.

New Year’s Pretzel Recipe

Yield: 1 pretzel

Prep Time: 2 hours

Bake Time: 35-40 minutes   

Total Time: 2 hours, 40 minutes

Ingredients

For the pretzel:

  • 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
  • ¾ cup warm milk (between 105-110°F)
  • 2 ½  cups all purpose flour
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 7 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 egg

For the topping:

  • ¼ cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tbsp milk
  • Dash of vanilla extract
  • Chopped pistachios 

Instructions

1. Slightly warm your milk to 105-110°F and add the yeast. Let it sit until it gets frothy, about 10 minutes. 

2. In a standing mixer with a dough hook, or a large mixing bowl, add the flour, sugar, and salt.

3. Pour in the yeast and milk, eggs and butter.

4. Knead for about five minutes until an elastic dough forms.

5. Cover the bowl and allow to rise in a warm place for an hour or so-until the dough is doubled in size. 

6. Once the dough has risen, punch it down, and empty the bowl onto a floured surface. Save ¼ of the dough for the braid at the bottom (this is optional, of course).

7. Roll out the dough into a long rope, about three feet long. 

8. Place a piece of parchment paper the size of your baking sheet under the middle of the rope.

9. Twist the ends together and place over the middle of the rope to form a pretzel shape.

10. To make the braid, cut the set aside dough into 3 equal pieces.

11. Roll each piece into a foot long rope.

12. Pinch together the edges at one side and tightly braid.

13. Seal the edges on the other side.

14. Place the braid on the lower part of the pretzel and lightly press down.

15. Cover the entire pretzel with a cloth and let rise until puffy, anywhere between 20 minutes to one hour.

16. Preheat the oven to 350°F.

17. Place balled up tinfoil in the pretzel holes so it keeps its shape. 

18. Bake for about 30 minutes or until it is golden brown.

19. Make the glaze by whisking together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla.

20. Once the pretzel has cooled a bit, pour the glaze on top and add your toppings. Enjoy!

New Year's Pretzel Recipe

New Year's Pretzel Recipe

Yield: 1 pretzel
Prep Time: 2 hours
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes

A delicious sweet German-style pretzel to ring in the new year!

Ingredients

For the pretzel:

  • 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
  • ¾ cup warm milk (between 105-110°F)
  • 2 ½ cups all purpose flour
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 7 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 egg

For the topping:

  • ¼ cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tbsp milk
  • Dash of vanilla extract
  • Chopped pistachios

Instructions

  1. Slightly warm your milk to 105-110°F and add the yeast. Let it sit until it gets frothy, about 10 minutes. 
  2. In a standing mixer with a dough hook, or a large mixing bowl, add the flour, sugar and salt. 
  3. Pour in the yeast and milk, eggs and butter and knead for about five minutes until an elastic dough forms. 
  4. Cover the bowl and allow to rise in a warm place for an hour or so-until the dough is doubled in size. 
  5. Once the dough has risen, punch it down, and empty the bowl onto a floured surface. Save ¼ of the dough for the braid at the bottom (this is optional, of course).
  6. Roll out the dough into a long rope, about three feet long. 
  7. Place a piece of parchment paper the size of your baking sheet under the middle of the rope. 
  8. Twist the ends together and place over the middle of the rope to form a pretzel shape. 
  9. To make the braid, cut the set aside dough into 3 equal pieces. 
  10. Roll each piece into a foot long rope. 
  11. Pinch together the edges at one side and tightly braid. 
  12. Seal the edges on the other side. 
  13. Place the braid on the lower part of the pretzel and lightly press down. 
  14. Cover the entire pretzel with a cloth and let rise until puffy, anywhere between 20 minutes to one hour. 
  15. Preheat the oven to 350°F. 
  16. Place balled up tinfoil in the pretzel holes so it keeps its shape. 
  17. Bake for about 30 minutes or until it is golden brown. 
  18. Make the glaze by whisking together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla. 
  19. Once the pretzel has cooled a bit, pour the glaze on top and add your toppings. Enjoy!

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