New Year's Pretzels

Ring in the new year with sweet, golden perfection by making these delightful New Year's Pretzels! This celebratory recipe combines the soft, pillowy texture of homemade yeast dough with a touch of sweetness from coarse or pearl sugar, offering a festive twist on a traditional treat. Each soft pretzel is lovingly crafted by kneading, shaping, and baking to golden-brown perfection, filling your home with a warm, inviting aroma. With just the right balance of butter-rich dough and a sprinkle of sugar, these large pretzel twists are perfect for sharing with family and friends or as a centerpiece for your New Year’s breakfast table. Easy to prepare with pantry staples like all-purpose flour, whole milk, and active dry yeast, this recipe yields charming results that are best enjoyed warm or at room temperature. Whether you're continuing a cherished tradition or starting a new one, these symbolic, sweet pretzels are the perfect way to welcome another year of blessings and joy!

Nutriscore Rating: 64/100

Prep Time:40 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:65 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 1 cup Whole milk
• 0.5 cup Granulated sugar
• 0.25 cup Unsalted butter
• 1 packet Active dry yeast
• 2 Large eggs
• 4 cups All-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1 Egg yolk
• 1 tablespoon Water
• 2 tablespoons Coarse sugar or pearl sugar

Directions

Step 1

In a small saucepan, heat the milk until just warm (about 110°F/43°C). Remove from heat and stir in the granulated sugar and butter until dissolved. Let the mixture cool slightly until lukewarm.

Step 2

Sprinkle the active dry yeast over the warm milk mixture and let it sit for 5-10 minutes, or until foamy.

Step 3

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs and the yeast mixture. Slowly incorporate the all-purpose flour and salt, one cup at a time, until a soft dough forms.

Step 4

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes, or until the dough becomes smooth and elastic. Alternatively, use a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment to knead for 5-7 minutes.

Step 5

Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours, or until doubled in size.

Step 6

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 7

Punch down the dough and turn it out onto a floured surface. Divide the dough into 2-3 equal portions. Roll each portion into a long rope and shape it into a large pretzel twist.

Step 8

Place shaped pretzels onto the prepared baking sheet, cover with a kitchen towel, and let rise again for 20-30 minutes.

Step 9

In a small bowl, whisk together the egg yolk and water to create an egg wash. Gently brush the tops of the pretzels with the egg wash and sprinkle with coarse sugar or pearl sugar.

Step 10

Bake the pretzels in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.

Step 11

Remove the pretzels from the oven and let cool slightly before serving. Enjoy warm or at room temperature for a festive New Year’s treat!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1022.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2794.5

Total Fat 51.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 23.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.3g
Cholesterol 647.8mg	0%
Sodium 2616.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 508.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 14.5g	0%
Total Sugars 138.5g
Protein 75.2g	0%

Vitamin D 205.6IU	0%
Calcium 452.4mg	0%
Iron 25.1mg	0%
Potassium 1184.6mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 16.5%

Protein: 10.8%

Carbs: 72.7%