Pretzel
A baked bread twisted into a knot and dipped in an alkaline bath before baking, which gives it a deep brown, chewy crust.
- Cakes, cookies, pastries and baked goods
- Germany, Southern Germany
Also called: Bretzel
The classic German pretzel is dipped in a dilute lye solution, which speeds browning and gives the distinctive flavor and shine. At home, a baking soda bath, often with baked baking soda for more strength, gives a similar effect.
Soft pretzels are topped with coarse salt; crunchy pretzels are baked until dry. Pretzels are used in sweet treats such as chocolate-dipped pretzels and pretzel crusts.
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Tools for this
Nordic Ware Half Sheet PanThe heavy aluminum pan bakeries use: even browning, no warping.See it on Amazon
Precut Parchment Sheets, 12x16 (200)Flat, precut sheets for clean release and easy cleanup.See it on Amazon
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Sources
Written by VanillaGoods in our own words from these sources. Last reviewed October 15, 2026.
- Pretzel (Q160525), Wikidata