Cinnamon Sugar Soft Pretzels (Print Version)

Soft pretzels tossed in warm cinnamon sugar for an irresistible sweet treat.

# What You Need:

→ Dough

01 - 1 ½ cups warm water (110°F)
02 - 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
03 - 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
04 - 4 cups all-purpose flour
05 - 1 teaspoon salt
06 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

→ Baking Soda Bath

07 - ⅔ cup baking soda
08 - 10 cups water

→ Cinnamon Sugar Topping

09 - ½ cup granulated sugar
10 - 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
11 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

# Preparation Steps:

01 - Combine warm water, yeast, and 1 tablespoon sugar in a large bowl. Let stand for 5 minutes until foamy and activated.
02 - Add melted butter, flour, and salt to the yeast mixture. Stir until a shaggy, sticky dough forms.
03 - Knead by hand on a floured surface or with a stand mixer using the dough hook for 5 to 7 minutes until smooth, elastic, and no longer sticky.
04 - Place dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap or a clean towel, and let rise in a warm, draft-free area for 1 hour until doubled in size.
05 - Preheat oven to 450°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
06 - Bring 10 cups water and baking soda to a rolling boil in a large pot. Reduce heat to maintain a steady simmer.
07 - Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface. Divide into 8 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a 20-inch rope, then form into the classic pretzel shape by twisting ends together and pressing onto the curve.
08 - Carefully lower each pretzel into the simmering baking soda bath for 30 seconds. Remove with a slotted spatula, allowing excess liquid to drain, then transfer to prepared baking sheets.
09 - Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until deep golden brown with a shiny, crisp crust.
10 - Immediately brush hot pretzels generously with melted butter while still warm.
11 - Mix granulated sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl. Toss each buttered pretzel in the mixture, pressing gently to ensure even coating.
12 - Serve immediately while warm for the best texture and flavor.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The exterior has that perfect pretzel chew while the inside stays impossibly soft and pillowy
  • The cinnamon sugar coating transforms a classic street food into something that feels like a homemade hug
  • Your kitchen will smell absolutely incredible while these bake
02 -
  • The baking soda bath is non negotiable. Without it, you will just have fancy bread sticks instead of real pretzels.
  • Work quickly when shaping because the dough keeps proofing and gets harder to handle as it sits.
  • Let the pretzels cool for just a few minutes before coating, otherwise the butter melts off too fast.
03 -
  • Weigh your flour if you can because measuring by volume can be inconsistent and affects the dough texture
  • Use a wide, shallow pan for the baking soda bath so you do not splash boiling water everywhere

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