Description
These Cinnamon Sugar Soft Pretzels are a delightful homemade snack with a perfect balance of sweet cinnamon sugar coating and a soft, chewy interior. Made from scratch using simple ingredients, these pretzels are boiled in a baking soda bath for that classic pretzel texture and baked to a golden finish. Ideal for a cozy treat or party snack, they’re best enjoyed warm and fresh.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough
- 1 1/2 cups warm water (110°F)
- 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Boiling Bath
- 2/3 cup baking soda
- 10 cups water (for boiling bath, not listed originally but necessary)
Coating
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (for brushing)
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: In a large mixing bowl, combine warm water, active dry yeast, and 1 tablespoon granulated sugar. Let the mixture sit for 5–10 minutes until it becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Make Dough: Add the flour, salt, and 2 tablespoons melted butter to the yeast mixture. Stir until a dough forms, then knead on a lightly floured surface for about 5 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- First Rise: Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover it, and allow it to rise for 45–60 minutes or until doubled in size.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Prepare Boiling Bath: In a large pot, bring 10 cups of water and the baking soda to a rolling boil. This baking soda bath is essential for giving the pretzels their distinctive chewy crust.
- Shape Pretzels: Punch down the risen dough and divide it into 8 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a long rope and shape each rope into a traditional pretzel form.
- Bake-Prep Dip: Carefully dip each shaped pretzel into the boiling baking soda water for 20–30 seconds. Remove and place them on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake Pretzels: Bake the pretzels in the preheated oven for 12–14 minutes or until they are golden brown and puffed.
- Add Coating: While the pretzels are still warm, brush them generously with the remaining 4 tablespoons of melted butter. Then toss or sprinkle them with a mixture of cinnamon and sugar to coat evenly.
- Serve: Serve the pretzels warm for the best flavor and texture experience.
Notes
- These pretzels are best enjoyed fresh but can be reheated in the oven to restore their soft texture.
- You can shape the dough into smaller bites instead of traditional pretzels for easier serving at parties or gatherings.
- Ensure the water for yeast activation is at the right temperature (around 110°F) to properly activate the yeast without killing it.
