Cinnamon Sugar Soft Pretzels (Printable)

Soft, golden pretzels rolled in cinnamon sugar for the ultimate sweet treat

# Ingredient List:

→ 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

# Steps:

01 - Combine warm water, yeast, and 1 tablespoon sugar in a large bowl. Let stand for 5 minutes until mixture becomes foamy and fragrant.
02 - Add melted butter, flour, and salt to the yeast mixture. Stir until a shaggy, sticky dough forms and all flour is incorporated.
03 - Knead by hand on a floured surface or use a stand mixer with dough hook for 5–7 minutes until dough is smooth, elastic, and springs back when pressed.
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 bulk.
05 - Preheat oven to 450°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. In a large pot, bring 10 cups water and baking soda to a rolling boil.
06 - Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface. Divide into 8 equal portions. Roll each piece into a 20-inch rope, then form into classic pretzel shape by crossing ends and pressing to seal.
07 - Carefully lower each pretzel into the boiling baking soda solution for 30 seconds. Remove with a slotted spatula, allowing excess liquid to drain, and place on prepared baking sheets.
08 - Bake pretzels for 12–15 minutes until deeply golden brown with a glossy, crackled crust. Rotate pans halfway through for even baking.
09 - Immediately after removing from oven, brush each warm pretzel generously with melted butter to ensure cinnamon sugar adheres properly.
10 - Mix granulated sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl. Toss each buttered pretzel in the mixture until thoroughly coated on all sides.
11 - Serve pretzels warm for optimal texture and flavor. Best enjoyed within a few hours of baking.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They taste exactly like mall pretzels but better because you made them yourself
  • The cinnamon sugar coating creates this incredible crispy, sweet exterior that gives way to impossibly soft bread inside
02 -
  • The baking soda bath is what makes pretzels taste like pretzels, do not skip this step
  • Roll your ropes thinner than you think, they puff up significantly in the oven
03 -
  • Weigh your flour for consistent results, cup measurements can vary wildly
  • Use room temperature ingredients, cold dough resists shaping

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