Cinnamon Sugar Soft Pretzels (Printable)
Soft, pillowy pretzels with warm cinnamon sugar coating—ideal for snacking or celebrating special occasions.
# What You'll 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
# How-To 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. Mix until a shaggy dough forms, then knead by hand or with a stand mixer using a dough hook for 5 to 7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
03 - 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.
04 - Preheat oven to 450°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
05 - Bring 10 cups water and ⅔ cup baking soda to a rolling boil in a large pot.
06 - Turn risen dough onto a lightly floured surface. Divide into 8 equal portions. Roll each piece into a 20-inch rope, then twist into a classic pretzel shape by crossing the ends over each other twice and pressing them onto the bottom curve.
07 - Working in batches, carefully lower each pretzel into the boiling baking soda bath for 30 seconds. Remove with a slotted spatula, allowing excess liquid to drain, then transfer to prepared baking sheets.
08 - Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until deeply golden brown with a shiny, crackled crust.
09 - Immediately brush hot pretzels generously with melted butter. Combine granulated sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl, then toss each buttered pretzel in the mixture until thoroughly coated.
10 - Serve immediately while warm for the softest texture.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The baking soda bath creates that authentic chewy pretzel crust you cannot fake
- These transform simple pantry staples into something that feels like a special occasion
02 -
- The boiling step feels tedious but it is absolutely what creates the real pretzel texture
- Work quickly when shaping or the dough will keep stretching and become hard to handle
03 -
- Room temperature butter mixes into the cinnamon sugar more evenly for better coating
- If the dough feels too sticky while shaping, lightly flour your hands but avoid adding too much flour to the dough itself