NeujahrsPretzel - New Years Pretzel

Baking partners are a group of enthusiastic home bakers who love to try new recipes. The challenge recipe for January was suggested by Swetha of Tasty Curry Leaf. She suggested two recipes, one New year Pretzel and a New year eve pizza from Sicily. The yeast-ed pretzel is a German recipe. I love the magical aroma of freshly baked bread and decided to try the New Years Pretzel.

This bread is beautiful and would make an impressive centerpiece for the holiday table. I love the braided look, almost like the challah bread. The braided pretzel is sweet and buttery. It is a delicious milk bread made special by topping with nuts, sugar, or glazed cherries. They are supposed to bring good luck and prosperity if consumed at midnight or eaten a first thing for breakfast on New Year's morning. Well, everyone loves a little good luck, so why not try this recipe. It takes time to prepare, but it is worth the effort. It can also make an impressive holiday gift if you love to share baked goodies with friends and family. Get your ingredients together and give this recipe a try you will surely love it.

Ingredients
Warm milk- 2 cup
Sugar- 1/2 cup
Butter- 1/2 stick
Yeast- 1 1/2 tsp
Bread Flour- 4 1/2 cup
Salt- 1 tsp
Egg-2

Garnish
Toasted Almonds or candied cherries
Powdered sugar

In a saucepan mix, milk, sugar, and butter, heat in medium till the sugar gets dissolved and butter melts. Make sure it is warm and not hot before adding the rest of the ingredients.
In a separate bowl, add flour, instant yeast, salt, and mix. Pour the warm milk butter mixture and two eggs. Mix until you get a soft batter and continue till getting a soft ball consistency.

Place this on a floured counter, sprinkle flour as needed, and knead till the dough is smooth. Place inside a greased bowl, cover with cling wrap or a damp towel and leave it on the kitchen counter to rise. Allow it to rise until it doubles in size. It will take about an hour.
When the dough is ready, transfer to a floured board or kitchen counter. Punch down and knead lightly and then divide the dough into three same sized portions. Roll each dough portion into long thin ropes to form the braided rope. Roll each out into long logs and set them up on the counter side by side. Braid the ropes, pinching the ends, and tuck them under to seal. Make it into u shape, pick each end of the dough and cross them once and then again, lift and bring the two edges towards you and stick towards the bottom of u shape.
Lay the pretzel into a parchment-lined baking sheet and allow it to rise for another one hour. bake in a preheated oven at 375 degrees f for 20 minutes till golden brown. Once out of the oven, you can brush with melted butter. Garnish with powdered sugar or a spreadable icing. Decorate with glazed cherries or sliced almonds.