German New Year Pretzel

Step 1
Dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup milk in a bowl; add 4 1/2 tablespoons sugar. Let stand until the yeast softens and begins to form a creamy foam, about 5 minutes.

Step 2
Stir yeast mixture and 2 1/4 cups flour together in a bowl until dough is dry and clumpy. Allow dough to rise for 15 minutes. Add remaining 1/2 cup milk, butter, egg, lemon zest, and salt to dough until evenly mixed.

Step 3
Knead dough, adding more flour as needed, until dough is elastic. Cover bowl with a clean damp towel or plastic wrap and allow dough to rise in a warm area until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

Step 4
Preheat oven to 390 degrees F (199 degrees C). Grease a baking sheet.

Step 5
Gently knead dough; roll into a long rope on the prepared baking sheet and twist into a pretzel shape. Cover dough with a clean towel or plastic wrap and allow to rise for 15 minutes more.

Step 6
Brush egg yolk over dough and sprinkle 1 teaspoon sugar over egg yolk.

Step 7
Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes.