Cinnamon Sugar Soft Pretzels Recipe - One Little Project (2024)

Hello again! It’s Alicia from The Baker Upstairs, and I have anotherdelicious treat to share with you today. These cinnamon sugar soft pretzels are so soft and chewy, buttery and sweet, and amazingly delicious! They are one of my family’s favorite treats, and I’m excited to share the recipe with you!

When I was in high school, one of my first jobs was working in the china and crystal department at a big department store in the mall. I helped brides choose their registry items, watched people endlessly debate about one flatware set versus another, and sold crystal vases worth more than my car. 🙂 It was a pretty fun job most of the time, but there were times when it was incredibly slow.Sometimes a whole hour would pass without any customers coming into my area, and by the time I had worked there a couple of months, I had the entire tape of music that was played over the PA system memorized.One of the bright spots on a slow night was my break, when I would walk down to the mall food court and buy a soft pretzel and a soda.

Maybe it was just because I was a teenager working for the first time, and relishing the independence it provided, but I swear, nothing had ever tasted as good as those pretzels. They were fresh from the oven, buttery and hot, and so delicious! It was always a really tough choice to decide between a hot salted pretzel with cheese sauce, or a warm and sweet cinnamon sugar pretzel. I loved them both! These cinnamon sugar soft pretzels remind me of those lovely pretzels I enjoyed from the mall all those years ago, but they’re even better because they’re homemade! These days, I bake them with my children, and get to see the joy on their faces as they discover how delicious a hot pretzel can be.

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I adapted these pretzels slightly from my favorite soft pretzel recipe, and they turned out so fantastic! They’re simple and quick to make, and are perfect when they’re fresh from the oven.

We LOVE cinnamon! Here’s a few of our favourite recipes. Don’t forget to save them to your favourite Pinterest boards:

Apple Cinnamon Pound Cake

Cinnamon Sugar Chex Mix

Cinnamon Sugar Tortilla Chips

Cinnamon Roll Pancakes

Cinnamon Streusel Banana Bread

How to Make Cinnamon Sugar Soft Pretzels

The full recipe is at the bottom of this point, but here’s what you’ll need:

  • milk
  • yeast
  • brown sugar
  • butter
  • salt
  • flour
  • baking soda
  • cinnamon sugar

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You’ll start by dissolving the yeast in the milk, then adding sugar, butter, salt, and flour to make a soft pretzel dough. Be careful not to add too much flour, because you’ll want the dough to be soft and pliable. Place the dough in a greased bowl to rise, then go do something fun for an hour. 🙂

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I love coming back to a big plump mound of dough. I make a ton of bread, and it still feels like magic every single time!

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Divide the dough into twelve equal sized pieces…

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…and then roll each piece into a long skinny rope. Next, twist each rope into a pretzel shape. I will admit here that I am not the greatest at shaping pretzels, but guess what? They turn out delicious either way!

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They’ll have a quick dip in a warm water and baking soda bath, then they’ll go into the oven to bake. Pull them out when they’re golden brown and beautiful.

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Next, you’ll brush the pretzels with melted butter, thenroll them ina sweet cinnamon sugar mixture.

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The pretzels are chewy on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside, and they have the perfect touch of sweetness from the cinnamon sugar. They’re perfect for a simple dessert, an after-school snack, or even for a game day party! My kids absolutely adore these pretzels and cheer every time I make them. They are definitely one of our favorite treats!

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These pretzels are best within the first 24 hours, so make sure to eat them quickly. Considering how delicious they are, though, I doubt that will be a problem. Just make them once, and you will be totally hooked!

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Cinnamon Sugar Soft Pretzels Recipe - One Little Project (11)

Print Recipe

4.89 from 18 votes

Cinnamon Sugar Soft Pretzels Recipe

These cinnamon sugar soft pretzels are simple and quick to make, and so delicious! Perfect for game day, snacks, or any time you need a sweet treat!

Prep Time2 hours hrs

Cook Time10 minutes mins

Total Time2 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

Servings: 12 pretzels

Ingredients

for the pretzels:

  • 2 cups warm milk
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons yeast
  • 1/4 cup Brown sugar
  • 4 tablespoons butter melted
  • 2 teaspoons Salt
  • 4 1/2 cups Flour more or less as needed

for the topping:

  • 1/3 cup Baking soda
  • 3 cups Warm water
  • 4 tablespoons butter melted
  • 1/2 cup Sugar
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon

Instructions

  • In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, dissolve the yeast in the warm milk. When the mixture is bubbly, mix in the brown sugar, butter, one cup flour, and salt, and mix until combined.

  • Add the remaining flour, one cup at a time, and mix until a smooth and slightly sticky dough forms. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let rise about one hour, until doubled in size.

  • After the dough has risen, preheat the oven to 450. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside. Divide the dough into twelve equal sized pieces, and roll each piece into a long skinny rope. Twist into a pretzel shape.

  • In a medium bowl, mix together the warm water and baking soda until dissolved. Dip each pretzel into the baking soda mixture and place on the prepared baking sheets. Bake 7 to 11 minutes, or until golden brown.

  • In a shallow dish, whisk together the sugar and cinnamon. Brush the pretzels with melted butter, then dip them in the cinnamon sugar mixture.

Cinnamon Sugar Soft Pretzels Recipe - One Little Project (12)

These cinnamon sugar soft pretzels are simple and quick to make, and so delicious! Perfect for game day, snacks, or any time you need a sweet treat!

Here’s even MORE cinnamon recipes:

Apple Cinnamon Pound Cake:

Cinnamon Sugar Chex Mix:

Cinnamon Sugar Chips:

Cinnamon Roll Pancakes:

Cinnamon Sugar Soft Pretzels Recipe - One Little Project (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret solution for Auntie Anne's pretzels? ›

Experts at The Daily Meal (via Fox News) suspect the secret ingredient is sugar. This makes total sense, not because we're some sort of band of dough geniuses over here, but because sugar obviously makes everything better — and because Auntie Anne's pretzels are definitely sweeter than your average pretzel.

Why do you boil soft pretzels before baking? ›

Like bagels, pretzels are made in boiling water prior to baking to give them their snappy outsides and chewy insides (messy!). Soft pretzels must be boiled, or dipped in a baking soda bath (or lye if you're gusty and strict with your pretzel traditions). THEN, they can be baked.

Why did you dip your pretzel dough into baking soda and water? ›

The answer lies in a brief dip in an alkaline water bath before baking. This bath essentially gelatinizes the outside of the pretzel, preventing it from fully “springing” during baking (as bread does) and giving pretzels their signature chewy crust. It also gives them their unique and indelible “pretzel” flavor.

How do you keep soft pretzels soft for a party? ›

Refrigerating soft pretzels can turn them soggy and affect their flavor. Freezing pretzels, however, will help retain their texture and softness. You can freeze most food that's properly stored indefinitely, and the food will still be safe to eat.

What is the secret ingredient which makes a pretzel taste like a pretzel? ›

But it's the distinctive "pretzel" flavor that makes this bread extraordinary. That comes from dipping the shaped dough in an alkaline solution — traditionally a small amount of food-grade lye dissolved in water — before baking.

Does Auntie Anne's put butter on their pretzels? ›

Our Original Pretzel only contains 5 grams of fat, and, yes, it is lightly dipped in butter. Since Auntie Anne's Pretzels are made fresh in our stores, you can request your pretzel without butter for a lower calorie option or order your pretzel without salt.

What is the purpose of putting an egg wash on the pretzel? ›

Egg Wash – The egg wash on the pretzels gives them a little shine, and I find it softens the exterior a bit. For a more traditional taste, omit the egg wash and just use salt when the pretzels come out of the water bath.

What gives soft pretzels their flavor? ›

What Gives Pretzels Their Pretzel Flavor? You have baking soda to thank for that distinct pretzel flavor. Baking soda is highly alkaline and imparts that subtly metallic taste onto the dough before your pretzels go into the oven. Some recipes call for a lye bath, which does the same thing.

How does Auntie Anne's cook their pretzels? ›

All those pretzels are made and twisted on the spot.

Auntie Anne's definitely doesn't serve pre-made pretzels! Every location receives shipments of the signature flour mixture, which is put in a mixer along with water and yeast. They're baked, brushed with real butter, salted and served right there.

Can you use baking powder instead of baking soda when making pretzels? ›

Baking powder: Baking powder can be used to replace baking soda, though not at a 1-to-1 ratio. Because the former is not as strong as the latter, it's important to use three times the amount of baking powder as baking soda. Be aware, a slightly bitter, off-putting taste might result from using that much baking powder.

What state eats the most pretzels? ›

Over time, the pretzel became a staple and an integral part of Pennsylvania's culture and economy. The state is now known as the pretzel capital of the world, with Pennsylvanians consuming a whopping 12 times more pretzels than the national average.

Do you bake pretzels with baking soda or lye? ›

Lye is primarily used to make pretzels, and it's the reason for their unmistakable shiny, mahogany color. To prepare, shaped pretzels are dipped in a lye bath, then baked in the oven. This method can also be used with rolls or buns.

How do you moisten soft pretzels? ›

Drizzle a small amount of water over the pretzel so that the pretzel is moist but not soggy. Wrap your pretzel in aluminum foil and place it in the oven for five minutes. If you want a crispier exterior, leave the aluminum foil off and just place the pretzel directly on the middle rack of your oven.

How to keep soft pretzels from getting hard? ›

Room Temperature: The best way to store your pretzels at room temperature is by using a bread box. Bread boxes let the right amount of air circulate so your bread (or pretzels!) remain moisture-free without going stale. If you don't have a bread box, you can opt for a paper bag or a storage container.

Should homemade soft pretzels be refrigerated? ›

Storing Freshly Baked Soft Pretzels

Room Temperature for Short-Term: Store them in an airtight container at room temperature if enjoying within a couple of days. Refrigerate for a Little Longer: Wrapped pretzels can be refrigerated for up to a week.

What makes Auntie Anne's pretzels so good? ›

Auntie Anne Pretzels are somehow more delicious than your average pretzel. A healthy dose of sugar makes for a tasty dough, and a topping of melted butter and salt makes them positively addictive. Another reason the popular pretzels are so good is they are made and served fresh and warm.

What solution are pretzels dipped in? ›

Lye is primarily used to make pretzels, and it's the reason for their unmistakable shiny, mahogany color. To prepare, shaped pretzels are dipped in a lye bath, then baked in the oven.

What is the water solution for pretzels? ›

Baking Soda + Room Temperature Water Pretzel Bath
  • 1/4 cup (72g) baking soda.
  • 4 cups or 1L of room temp water.
  • Coarse or pretzel salt (optional)

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