Why Make This Recipe
Cinnamon Sugar Soft Pretzels are a delightful treat that combines the chewy goodness of a classic pretzel with the sweet and warm flavors of cinnamon and sugar. They are perfect for snacking, enjoying at parties, or even as a cozy dessert. These pretzels are easy to make and will fill your home with the irresistible aroma of freshly baked goodies. Plus, they are a great way to impress your family and friends with your baking skills!
How to Make Cinnamon Sugar Soft Pretzels
Ingredients
- 2 cups warm water
- 1 package active dry yeast
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup sugar (for topping)
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon (for topping)
Directions
Activate the Yeast: In a large bowl, combine the warm water, yeast, and granulated sugar. Stir lightly and let it sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes bubbly. This means the yeast is active and ready to help your dough rise.
Make the Dough: Add the all-purpose flour and salt to the yeast mixture. Mix everything together until a dough forms. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead it for about 5 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. Once done, place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a towel, and let it rise for 1 hour in a warm spot or until it doubles in size.
Preheat and Prepare: While the dough is rising, preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Shape the Pretzels: After the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air. Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a long rope (about 20-24 inches long) and shape it into a pretzel. To do this, make a U shape, twist the ends around each other, and then press them down to the center of the U.
Boil the Pretzels: In a large pot, bring 10 cups of water and the baking soda to a boil. Using a slotted spoon or a spatula, carefully lower each pretzel into the boiling water one at a time. Boil them for about 30 seconds each. This step is important as it gives the pretzels their classic chewy texture. After boiling, remove the pretzels and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
Add the Toppings: Brush each pretzel with the melted butter. In a small bowl, combine the sugar and ground cinnamon for the topping. Sprinkle this mixture generously over each pretzel.
Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the pretzels for about 12 to 15 minutes until they are golden brown. Keep an eye on them because every oven is different!
Enjoy Your Pretzels: Once baked, let the pretzels cool slightly before diving in. They’re best enjoyed warm!
How to Serve Cinnamon Sugar Soft Pretzels
Cinnamon Sugar Soft Pretzels are best served warm right out of the oven. You can enjoy them on their own or pair them with dipping sauces like cream cheese frosting or chocolate sauce for a fun twist. These pretzels also make a great snack for movie nights or birthday parties. You can also serve them at breakfast with a side of coffee or hot chocolate for a cozy morning treat.
How to Store Cinnamon Sugar Soft Pretzels
To keep your Cinnamon Sugar Soft Pretzels fresh, allow them to cool completely after baking. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you need to keep them longer, consider freezing them. Place the cooled pretzels in a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply reheat them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-10 minutes to restore their fresh-baked taste.
Tips to Make Cinnamon Sugar Soft Pretzels
Use Warm Water: Make sure your water is warm, not hot, when activating the yeast. Too much heat can kill the yeast, which will prevent your pretzels from rising properly.
Kneading: Don’t skip the kneading step! This helps develop the gluten, giving the pretzels a chewy texture.
Be Generous with Toppings: The cinnamon-sugar topping is what makes these pretzels special. Feel free to sprinkle more on if you like them extra sweet!
Experiment with Shapes: You can shape the dough into sticks, knots, or even different artistic shapes. Just make sure to adjust boiling times if they are smaller.
Variation
While the classic cinnamon-sugar version is delicious, you can also try some fun variations:
- Chocolate Chip Pretzels: Add mini chocolate chips to the dough for a sweeter treat.
- Caramel Pretzels: Drizzle with melted caramel after baking instead of butter to create caramel-covered pretzels.
- Savory Twist: Instead of sugar and cinnamon, try topping the pretzels with garlic salt and grated Parmesan cheese for a savory option.
FAQs
1. Can I use bread flour instead of all-purpose flour?
Yes, using bread flour will give your pretzels a chewier texture due to the higher protein content. Just keep in mind that you might need a bit more water if the dough is too stiff.
2. Can I make the dough ahead of time and refrigerate it?
Absolutely! You can make the dough ahead of time, cover it tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. When ready to use, let it come to room temperature before proceeding with the recipe.
3. What if my pretzels are too hard?
If your pretzels turn out harder than expected, it could be due to overbaking. Make sure to keep an eye on them while they are in the oven. Additionally, remove them once they are golden brown, not brown.
Cinnamon Sugar Soft Pretzels are a delightful combination of chewy and sweet, perfect for snacking or special occasions. With this guide, you’re all set to make these little goodies in no time. Happy baking!
Print
Cinnamon Sugar Soft Pretzels
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 pretzels 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delightful treats that combine chewy goodness with sweet cinnamon and sugar flavors. Perfect for snacking or as a cozy dessert.
Ingredients
- 2 cups warm water
- 1 package active dry yeast
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup sugar (for topping)
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon (for topping)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the warm water, yeast, and granulated sugar. Stir lightly and let it sit for about 5 minutes until bubbly.
- Add the all-purpose flour and salt. Mix until a dough forms, then knead for about 5 minutes until smooth. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 hour.
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Punch the risen dough down, divide it into 12 pieces, roll each into a long rope, and shape into pretzels.
- In a large pot, boil 10 cups of water and baking soda. Boil each pretzel for about 30 seconds, then remove and place on the baking sheet.
- Brush pretzels with melted butter, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar mixture, then bake for 12 to 15 minutes until golden brown.
- Allow to cool slightly before serving warm.
Notes
Serve warm and consider pairing with dipping sauces. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or freeze for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pretzel
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 15mg