Did you know that the pretzel is a traditional food for lent? In fact, the pretzel was actually invented in order to be a simple Lenten snack! You can find all of my holy week food ideas for kids here. Today, I am going to share my favorite Lenten pretzel recipe with you, as well as a printable card with the pretzel prayer.
When early Christians would pray, they would cross their arms and touch each shoulder with the opposite hand. They also fasted very strictly during lent, making their bread with only water, flour, and salt. A monk shaped this in the form of praying arms for children, and the pretzel was born! To read more about the religious history of the pretzel and for the pretzel prayer, check out Catholic Culture’s pretzel page.
This recipe and more are in my new cookbook for families–! This cookbook includes 23 recipes that point to the true meaning of Easter. It also includes 29 pages of bonus printables! You do not want to miss this amazing resource.
Lenten Pretzel Recipe Ingredients:
- 1 package yeast (.25 oz)
- 1 1/2 cups warm water
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 cups flour
- 1 egg
- extra salt for the tops- large salt works best!
Mix your yeast, water, sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Stir in the flour, and knead until the dough is smooth. Shape into the form of arms crossed in prayer and place it on a baking sheet.
Brush the dough with a beaten egg to give it a shiny finish. Sprinkle the top with salt, and bake in an oven preheated to 425 degrees for 15 minutes.
There is a printable version of this recipe at the bottom of the post.
Here they are all baked!
Post continues after this brief information about the Catholic Icing Monthly Membership
Monthly Liturgical Membership
Perfect for families! Each month you gain access to printable activity pages, crafts, home altar pieces, and more.
Never has living the liturgical year been so easy and affordable!
The big salt definitely takes this Lenten pretzel recipe to the next level.
New And Improved Lente Pretzel Printable
I made a pack with a Lenten Pretzel Card that reads “A pretzel to remind us of arms crossed in prayer is a Lenten treat for us to share!”.
The pack also includes the story of the origin of the pretzel, a page that can go into your Weaving The Faith liturgical binder, and a super cute Lenten pretzel recipe card with the special poem on it. You can grab your Lenten pretzel recipe download here for just $2.
I also have a how to draw a pretzel video so your kids can create their own pretzel prayer cards! It’s totally free on YouTube so check that out now!
All printable pages are my own artwork and can be used for any not-for-profit use by individuals, families, or educational organizations. Copies may not be sold or reproduced for profit. If you’d like to post this project for others to find, I would ask that you link to my post rather than my individual downloads. When printing or running copies, please do not remove my website from the bottom of the page. Thanks!
You’ll find all of my Lenten resources for kids here
Print Recipe
Lenten Soft Pretzel Recipe
Did you know that the pretzel is a traditional food for lent? In fact, the pretzel was actually invented in order to be a simple Lenten snack!Enjoy this simple soft pretzel recipe during Lent.
Course: Snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Lenten recipes, pretzels
Author: Lacy
Ingredients
- 1 package yeast .25 oz
- 1 1/2 cups warm water
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 cups flour
- 1 egg
- extra salt for the top of the pretzels large kosher salt works best!
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 425°F
Mix yeast, water, sugar, and salt in a large bowl.
Stir in the flour, and knead until the dough is smooth.
Shape into the form of arms crossed in prayer and place it on a baking sheet.
Brush the dough with a beaten egg to give it a shiny finish. (This is optional. I skipped the egg on mine.) Sprinkle the top with salt.
Bake at 425°F for 15 minutes.
Notes
The yield on this recipe depends on how large or small you make your pretzels. However, I would suggest making 5 - 6 pretzels with this recipe.
FAQs
The most common interpretation links the pretzel's twisted shape to two arms crossed in prayer. This visual reminder encourages focus on prayer and reflection during the Lenten season. The word "pretzel" itself may derive from the Latin "bracellae," meaning "little arms," further strengthening this connection.
What is the prayer lesson of the pretzels? ›
Try this simple activity to get your young children ready for prayer. Say, “Arms Out!” Let them stretch their arms out wide and wiggle them. Then say, “Fold them like a pretzel.” Have the kids wrap their arms tight like a pretzel. Then, they are ready to be reverent!
What is the Catholic pretzel prayer? ›
Heavenly Father, bless these pretzels. Help them remind us that Lent is a time of prayer. And lift our thanksgiving and needs to you. Lord Jesus, use these pretzels.
What is the meaning of the pretzel during Lent? ›
The word Pretzel is derived from a German word that means “l*ttle arms.” The twisted shape of pretzels is meant to resemble two arms crossed in prayer. Making Lent pretzels is a way to remember that Lent is a season of prayer.
What do pretzels have to do with Christians? ›
In the seventh century, the church dictated stricter rules governing fasting and abstinence during Lent than it does today. Pretzels, made of a simple mixture of water, flour and salt, were an ideal food to consume during Lent, when all types of meat, dairy and eggs were prohibited.
What is the story of the 5 prayers? ›
Praying five times was made mandatory following the Night Ascension when the Noble Prophet set on the night journey from Mecca to Jerusalem and then past the Seven Skies. While in the Divine Presence of Allah, the Noble Prophet was commanded to inform the Muslims, Salah was made obligatory upon them.
What is the moral lesson of prayer? ›
The moral of the story is that God is always here to help us out. We can pray to God in times of need and he will send help in the most miraculous way.
What is the prayer before the crucifix that is said during Lent and how can you earn an indulgence? ›
In addition, on any of the Fridays of Lent, one can devoutly recite after Communion the prayer “En ego, O bone et dulcissime Iesus” before a crucifix. From the context, it is imperative to do so after receiving Communion, during thanksgiving, to receive the plenary indulgence.
What are the three things prayer does? ›
Daily prayer can bless you, your family, and those you pray for. It can also invite more peace into your life, help you learn more about God's plan for you, and more.
What is the secret prayer in the Catholic Church? ›
The Secret (Latin Secreta, sc. oratio secreta) is the prayer said in a low voice by the celebrant at the end of the Offertory in the Roman Liturgy. It is the original and for a long time was the only offertory prayer.
Latin Catholic (before eating) – "Bless us, O Lord, and these, Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen." (Preceded and followed by the Sign of the Cross. Also used by some German Lutherans.)
What did Jesus eat for Lent? ›
and was led by the Spirit into the desert for forty days, to be tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and when they were over he was hungry.
What are the 5 symbolic of Lent? ›
SYMBOLS INCLUDED:Palm Fronds (Palm Sunday)Fish (fasting)Cross with Violet Stole (season of penance)Cross in Ash (Ash Wednesday)Water Jug…
What is the tradition of the pretzel on Easter? ›
But back to the Bretzelsonnden tradition: Guys give the girl they fancy a pretzel on said Sunday. If she accepts the treat, the guy is allowed to visit the girl on Easter Sunday and will get an egg in return. If all of this happens in a leap year, the roles are reversed, and the girls can hand out pretzels.
What is the prayer about the biscuit? ›
So Lord, when things come up we don't like, when life gets hard, when we just don't understand what You are sayin' to us, we just need to relax and wait 'till you're done mixin', and probably Lord, it will be somethin' even better than biscuits. Amen."
What is the meaning of the pretzel Sunday? ›
These days, Pretzel Sunday is all about declaring your love for your beloved with a pretzel! On Bretzelsonndeg, tradition dictates that a man should offer a pretzel to his sweetheart. If she accepts his advances, the lover will offer her beau some eggs on Easter Sunday.
What is the Hebrew blessing for pretzels? ›
Transliterated. Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech Haolam, Al Hamichya V'al Hakalkala, V'al Tnuvas Hasadeh, V'al Eretz Chemda Tova Ur'chava, Sheratzisa V'hinchalta Lavoseinu, Le'echol Mi'pirya V'lisbo'a Mituva.
