Kliņģeris

Kliņģeris

Kliņģeris (KLING-yeh-ris)

Latvian Pretzel Bread

Prep Time 3 hours
📈 Difficulty Hard
👥 Servings
12
🔥 Calories 344 kcal

A large, sweet yeasted bread shaped into a figure-eight or pretzel, studded with raisins and almonds, glazed and fragrant with cardamom.

Nutrition & Info

340 kcal per serving
Protein 7.0g
Carbs 52.0g
Fat 12.0g
Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

vegetarian

Allergen Warnings

⚠ gluten ⚠ dairy ⚠ eggs ⚠ tree nuts

Equipment Needed

large mixing bowl baking sheet rolling surface pastry brush

Presentation Guide

Vessel: wooden board

Garnishes: pearl sugar, slivered almonds

Accompaniments: butter, tea, coffee

Instructions

  1. 1

    Dissolve yeast in warm milk with a pinch of sugar. Let foam 10 min.

  2. 2

    Mix flour, sugar, cardamom, salt, and lemon zest. Add yeast mixture, eggs, and softened butter. Knead 12 min until smooth and elastic.

  3. 3

    Fold in raisins and half the almonds. Cover and let rise 1.5 hours until doubled.

  4. 4

    Punch down dough and divide into 3 equal pieces. Roll each into a long rope about 60cm.

  5. 5

    Braid the three ropes together, then shape the braid into a large pretzel or figure-eight on a lined baking sheet.

  6. 6

    Cover and rise 30 min. Brush with egg yolk, scatter remaining almonds and pearl sugar on top.

  7. 7

    Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 30-35 min until deep golden. Cool on a rack.

💡

Did You Know?

A kliņģeris is the traditional Latvian name day gift — in Latvia, name days are celebrated as enthusiastically as birthdays.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

  • large mixing bowl
  • baking sheet
  • rolling surface
  • pastry brush

Garnishing

pearl sugar, slivered almonds

Accompaniments

butter, tea, coffee

The Story Behind Kliņģeris

Kliņģeris is Latvia's most important celebration bread, with roots in the 17th century. The pretzel shape has symbolic meaning tied to eternity and good fortune. It is the centerpiece of name day celebrations, a uniquely Latvian tradition where everyone shares the same calendar of honored names.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed name days, birthdays, celebrations 📜 Origins: 17th century

Comments (0)

No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!