Why Make This Recipe
Cinnamon Sugar Soft Pretzels are a delightful treat that come together easily and fill your home with a delicious aroma while they bake. They are soft, chewy, and coated in sweet cinnamon sugar, making them a perfect snack or dessert. Whether you are preparing for a game day, hosting a movie night, or just craving something tasty, these pretzels are sure to satisfy. Plus, they are very customizable and fun to shape, making them a great cooking project for families or friends.
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)
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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 your yeast is active and ready to work its magic in the dough.
Make the Dough: Add the flour and salt to the yeast mixture. Mix until a dough forms, then knead on a floured surface for about 5 minutes. Kneading helps develop gluten, giving your pretzels that chewy texture we all love. Once kneaded, place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour. The dough should double in size.
Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This step is important as it ensures that the pretzels have a good surface to bake on and won’t stick.
Shape the Pretzels: After the dough has risen, punch it down gently to remove excess air. Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a long rope, about 24 inches long, and then twist the ends together to form a pretzel shape.
Boil the Pretzels: In a large pot, bring about 10 cups of water to a boil. Once boiling, carefully add the baking soda. This step creates that classic pretzel crust. Boil each pretzel for 30 seconds. You can do this in batches if your pot isn’t large enough. Using a slotted spoon, remove the pretzels and place them onto the prepared baking sheet.
Add Toppings: Brush each boiled pretzel with the melted butter. Then, mix the sugar and cinnamon together and sprinkle generously over the pretzels. The butter helps the cinnamon sugar stick and gives the pretzels extra flavor.
Bake: Bake the pretzels in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until they are golden brown. Keep an eye on them as baking time may vary depending on your oven.
Enjoy: Once baked, remove the pretzels from the oven and let them cool slightly. They are best enjoyed warm, so gather your friends or family and dig in!
How to Serve Cinnamon Sugar Soft Pretzels
Cinnamon Sugar Soft Pretzels are fantastic on their own, but you can elevate the experience by serving them with a variety of dips. Here are some ideas:
- Cream Cheese Dip: Mix softened cream cheese with a bit of powdered sugar and vanilla for a sweet dip.
- Chocolate Sauce: Melt some chocolate or use ready-made fudge sauce for a rich, decadent dipping option.
- Caramel Sauce: Warm caramel sauce adds a smooth sweetness that pairs well with the cinnamon flavor.
- Vanilla Glaze: A simple glaze made from powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla can drizzle over the top for an extra touch.
How to Store Cinnamon Sugar Soft Pretzels
To keep your pretzels fresh, allow them to cool completely, then store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They are best enjoyed within 1-2 days but can be stored for up to a week. If you want to extend their shelf life, consider freezing them. Place the cooled pretzels in a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze. When you’re ready to enjoy them, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in the oven or microwave.
Tips to Make Cinnamon Sugar Soft Pretzels
- Water Temperature: Make sure the water is warm but not hot. If it’s too hot, it can kill the yeast. The right temperature helps the yeast activate properly.
- Kneading: Don’t skip the kneading step! This is crucial for developing the dough’s texture. If you have a stand mixer, you can use the dough hook for this step.
- Even Shaping: Try to make all pretzels the same size for even cooking. It’s easier to get uniformly baked pretzels if they are all similar in size.
- Use Parchment Paper: This makes for easy cleanup and prevents sticking, reducing frustrations when you transfer the pretzels.
- Experiment with Spices: Feel free to add nutmeg, allspice, or even a pinch of cayenne for unique flavors.
Variation
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can try different toppings or fillings. Here are a few ideas:
- Savory Pretzels: Instead of cinnamon sugar, sprinkle the pretzels with sea salt and garlic powder before baking for a savory twist.
- Chocolate Chip Pretzels: Fold mini chocolate chips into the dough before shaping to create a sweet treat bursting with chocolate flavor.
- Cheese Pretzels: Add shredded cheese on top after brushing with butter, giving a delicious cheesy flavor with a crunchy topping.
FAQs
1. Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?
Yes, you can use instant yeast! You won’t need to activate it first. Simply mix it with the dry ingredients and proceed with the recipe as usual.
2. How do I know when the dough has risen enough?
The dough should double in size. A good test is to use your finger to make an indention in the dough; if it springs back slowly, it’s ready.
3. Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the dough a day before. Let it rise, then punch it down and store it covered in the refrigerator. Allow it to come to room temperature before shaping.
4. What if my pretzels don’t turn golden brown?
If your pretzels remain pale during baking, you can broil them for a couple of minutes at the end to achieve a deeper color. Make sure to watch them closely to prevent burning.
5. Can I bake these pretzels without boiling them first?
Boiling the pretzels gives them their characteristic texture and crust. If you skip this step, the pretzels may not have the same chewy bite and glossy finish.
Cinnamon Sugar Soft Pretzels
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delightful soft pretzels coated in sweet cinnamon sugar, perfect for snacks or desserts.
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 sit for about 5 minutes until bubbly.
- Add the flour and salt to the yeast mixture. Mix until a dough forms, then knead on a floured surface for about 5 minutes.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour.
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Punch the risen dough down gently, divide it into 12 equal pieces, and roll each piece into a long rope.
- Twist the ends together to form a pretzel shape.
- In a large pot, bring about 10 cups of water to a boil, then add baking soda. Boil each pretzel for 30 seconds.
- Remove the pretzels using a slotted spoon and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Brush each boiled pretzel with melted butter, then sprinkle the sugar and cinnamon mixture over the tops.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden brown.
- Let cool slightly and enjoy warm.
Notes
Serve with various dips like cream cheese dip, chocolate sauce, or caramel sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pretzel
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: pretzels, cinnamon, dessert, snack, baking