Fastenwähe (carnival Caraway-seed Pretzel Of Basel)

Total Time: 3 hrs Preparation Time: 2 hrs 30 mins Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients

• 250 ml milk (lukewarm)
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 100 g butter (melted, lukewarm)
• 500 g flour
• 15 g fresh yeast
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 teaspoon water
• 1 -2 tablespoon caraway seed (not cumin!)

Recipe

• 1 mix in a bowl milk, butter, sugar and half of the flour.
• 2 add yeast, mix well again and let stand for 5 minutes.
• 3 add the rest of the flour, the salt and form a soft dough.
• 4 make 12 portions and form with each a 15 cm long oval roll.
• 5 flat the rolls and make 4 5cm long opposite cuts (as shown in the photo).
• 6 toss with your hands and place on your trays (i use 2 of them).
• 7 swirl yolk and water together and brush on the breads.
• 8 top with caraway seed.
• 9 keep for about 2 hours in the cold oven or until they double their volume (keeping a bowl with warm water in the oven helps the breads to rise better).
• 10 take out of the oven and preheat the oven at 200°c (heat and timing are basing it on convection oven).
• 11 place a fireproof bowl with hot water in the oven and bake the breads of the first tray for 15-20 minutes until golden. repeat with the other tray.
• 12 let cool on a grade end enjoy them.