Cinnamon Sugar Soft Pretzels (Print Version)
Soft, golden pretzels rolled in buttery cinnamon sugar coating.
# 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
# Directions:
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. Mix with a wooden spoon until a shaggy, sticky dough forms.
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 volume.
05 - Preheat oven to 450°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
06 - Bring 10 cups water and baking soda to a rolling boil in a large pot. The solution helps create the classic pretzel crust.
07 - Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface. Divide into 8 equal portions. Roll each piece into a 20-inch rope, then twist into a traditional pretzel shape.
08 - Carefully lower each pretzel into the boiling baking soda solution for 30 seconds. Remove with a slotted spatula and transfer to prepared baking sheets.
09 - Bake for 12–15 minutes until pretzels are deeply golden brown with a shiny, crackled surface.
10 - While pretzels are still warm, brush generously with melted butter to ensure cinnamon sugar adheres properly.
11 - Whisk together granulated sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl. Roll each buttered pretzel in the mixture until evenly coated.
12 - Serve immediately while warm for the softest texture and best flavor experience.
# Insider Tips:
01 -
- The combination of warm pillowy dough and crunchy cinnamon sugar coating is absolutely irresistible
- These come together faster than you would expect and the baking soda bath gives them that authentic pretzel flavor
02 -
- The baking soda bath step is absolutely essential for that authentic pretzel flavor and chewy texture
- Work quickly when shaping the pretzels since the dough continues to rise and can get puffy and harder to handle
03 -
- Weighing your flour instead of using cup measurements gives you more consistent results every time
- The pretzels will continue to brown slightly after coming out of the oven so do not overbake