Soft Pretzel Braids with Lye

Steps

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1. 1
   Sift the flour into a bowl to aerate it, then add the fresh yeast and dry malt powder mixture, stirring to combine.
   ▶ ≈3:31
2. 2
   Add the water and mix on low speed for about 1–2 minutes until ingredients are roughly combined.
   ▶ ≈4:05
3. 3
   Add salt and butter, increase kneading speed, and continue kneading for 8–10 minutes until the dough is smooth and soft.
   ▶ ≈4:38
4. 4
   Shape the dough into a ball, cover it, and let it rest for about 10 minutes to relax and bond.
   ▶ ≈5:30
5. 5
   Divide the dough into 9 equal portions of about 90 g each and shape them into smooth balls.
   ▶ ≈6:06
6. 6
   Cover again and rest for another 10 minutes to relax the dough balls before shaping.
   ▶ ≈7:57
7. 7
   Roll each dough ball into a log, form a loop at about the one-third mark, pull the remaining strand through the loop, twist the loop, and feed the remaining strand through to create a braid shape.
   ▶ ≈9:04
8. 8
   Place the shaped braids on a parchment-lined baking sheet and let them proof until nearly double in size (about one-third increase). Then refrigerate for about 10 minutes to develop a thin skin that will prevent the lye from soaking in.
   ▶ ≈10:49
9. 9
   Put on protective apron and safety glasses. Pour cold water into a bowl first, then slowly add the sodium hydroxide (35–40 g) and stir until fully dissolved. Critical: never add water to sodium hydroxide; always do it the other way around.
   ▶ ≈12:04
10. 10
    Remove the pretzel braids from the refrigerator and carefully dip each one into the lye bath using appropriate tools, turning once or twice, for no more than 4 seconds total, then return to the baking sheet.
    ▶ ≈16:48
11. 11
    Preheat the oven to 220 °C (430 °F) and bake the braids for 12 minutes without steam until deep brown. Optionally mist lightly with water for extra glaze.
    ▶ ≈18:33
12. 12
    Cool slightly before serving. Reminder: the lye solution can be reused 3–4 times; store in a tightly sealed container away from children. Rinse all tools that contacted lye with cold water before dishwashing. When disposing of lye, slowly pour it down the drain while running cold water, then continue to flush for safety.
    ▶ ≈19:03