The Ultimate Guide to Making Irresistible Cinnamon Sugar Soft Pretzels at Home

We’ve all been there: wandering through a shopping centre or past a bakery, completely drawn in by the comforting, sweet aroma of freshly baked pretzels. That heavenly scent of cinnamon and sugar wrapped around a soft, warm dough is truly special. But what if we told you that you could capture that very same magic in your own kitchen? It’s entirely possible! We are delighted to show you, step-by-step, how to create the most wonderful Cinnamon Sugar Soft Pretzels you’ve ever had. Leave the long lines and high prices behind; a moment of pure, baked bliss awaits.

Why You Will Adore This Pretzel Recipe

Before we get to the baking, let’s explore exactly why we believe this will become your favourite new recipe for a sweet indulgence. We have poured our efforts into refining this method to make it not just delightful, but completely reliable. Here are a few reasons we’re sure you’ll fall in love with it:

• Incredibly Delicious: These pretzels boast the ideal combination of a soft, fluffy, and chewy centre, all encased in a perfectly golden, slightly crisp shell. The coating of butter, cinnamon, and sugar is simply irresistible.
• Surprisingly Simple: Please don’t be daunted by the thought of using yeast. We will guide you through the entire process, which is far more straightforward than you might imagine. It’s a truly wonderful easy pretzel recipe for anyone new to baking.
• Pantry-Friendly Ingredients: Chances are you already have most, if not all, of the necessary ingredients waiting in your kitchen cupboards. There’s no need to make a special shopping trip!
• Fun for Everyone: The process of shaping the pretzels is a joyful activity that the entire family can enjoy. It’s a fantastic way to get the children involved and create some lovely, tasty memories together.

Ingredients for Our Cinnamon Sugar Soft Pretzels

To bring these wonderful treats to life, we need to gather ingredients for three parts: the dough, the vital bicarbonate of soda bath, and that magnificent topping. Here’s a full list of what you will require.

For the Soft Pretzel Dough

• 450g strong white bread flour, plus extra for dusting
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon caster sugar
• 7g (1 sachet) fast-action dried yeast
• 250ml warm water (not hot!)
• 40g unsalted butter, melted

For the Baking Soda Bath

• 2 litres water
• 100g bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)

For the Sweet Cinnamon Sugar Topping

• 100g unsalted butter, melted
• 150g caster sugar
• 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon

Step-by-Step Guide to Baking Perfect Pretzels

Are you ready to begin? We have broken the entire method down into simple, easy-to-follow stages. Just follow our lead, and you’ll be savouring warm, cinnamon-dusted pretzels before you know it.

Step 1: Making the Soft Pretzel Dough

1. Activate the Yeast: In a small bowl, mix together the warm water, caster sugar, and yeast. Stir it gently, then leave it to stand for 5 to 10 minutes. You will know it’s working when a foam or froth develops on the surface. This is a sign that your yeast is alive and ready to go!
2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, or the bowl of your stand mixer, combine the strong white bread flour and the salt with a whisk.
3. Mix the Dough: Add the frothy yeast mixture and the 40g of melted butter to your flour mixture. If you are using a stand mixer, use the dough hook attachment on a low setting until a rough dough comes together. If you’re mixing by hand, a wooden spoon is perfect for combining everything.
4. Knead to Perfection: Place the dough onto a surface that has been lightly dusted with flour and knead for around 8–10 minutes, until it feels smooth and elastic. With a stand mixer, you can continue kneading with the dough hook for 5–7 minutes. The finished soft pretzel dough will gently spring back when you press it with a finger.
5. Let it Rise: Grease the mixing bowl with a little oil, return the dough to it, and turn the dough over to give it a light coating. Cover your bowl with a clean tea towel or some cling film. Set it aside in a warm, draught-free place for approximately 1 to 1.5 hours, or until the dough has doubled in volume.

Step 2: Shaping Your Homemade Soft Pretzels

Now for the really enjoyable part! With your dough perfectly risen, it is time to form that iconic pretzel shape. Don’t strive for absolute perfection; we find that even the more rustic-looking pretzels taste just as delicious.

1. Prepare Your Station: Begin by preheating your oven to 220°C (200°C for fan ovens, or Gas Mark 7). Next, line a pair of large baking trays with baking parchment.
2. Divide the Dough: Gently press down on the risen dough to knock the air out. Turn it out onto a lightly floured work surface and divide it into 8 portions of equal size.
3. Roll and Twist: Take one portion of dough and roll it out into a long, thin rope, roughly 50–60 cm in length. To make the classic shape, form the rope into a ‘U’. Then, cross the two ends over each other twice, and bring them down to the bottom curve of the ‘U’. Press the ends down firmly so they stick. Continue this process with all the remaining pieces of dough.

Step 3: The Crucial Baking Soda Bath

This stage is the key to achieving that authentic chewy exterior and rich, golden-brown finish. We do urge you to be cautious, as you will be working with very hot water.

1. Prepare the Bath: In a large, wide-bottomed pot, bring the 2 litres of water to a vigorous, rolling boil. Very carefully and gradually add the bicarbonate of soda. Be mindful that it will fizz up quite dramatically.
2. Boil the Pretzels: Using a large slotted spoon or spider strainer, carefully lower one or two pretzels into the boiling solution. Let them boil for approximately 30 seconds before flipping them over to boil for a further 30 seconds.
3. Drain and Bake: Lift the pretzels out of the pot, allowing the excess water to drain away, and then arrange them on your prepared baking trays.

Step 4: Baking and Creating the Cinnamon Sugar Topping

We are nearly there! By now, your kitchen will be filled with the most delightful aroma.

1. Bake the Pretzels: Put the trays into your preheated oven and let them bake for 12–15 minutes. They are ready when they have turned a lovely, deep golden-brown.
2. Prepare the Topping: As the pretzels are baking, you can get the cinnamon sugar topping ready. Melt the 100g of butter and pour it into a shallow bowl. In a separate shallow bowl, thoroughly combine the 150g of caster sugar with the 2 tablespoons of ground cinnamon.
3. Coat the Pretzels: The moment the pretzels are out of the oven, use a pastry brush to generously coat them all over with the melted butter. Then, while still warm, dip each buttered pretzel into the cinnamon-sugar mix, making sure it is completely covered.
4. Serve and Enjoy: To enjoy them at their absolute best, we recommend serving your Cinnamon Sugar Soft Pretzels while they are still warm. They are simply divine as they are, or you could serve them with a cream cheese dip for extra indulgence!

Our Top Tips for Pretzel Perfection

We are committed to helping you make your homemade soft pretzels a roaring success. To help you, here are a few additional tips we have picked up from our own baking experiences:

• Water Temperature is Key: For the yeast to work its magic, the water needs to be warm, but not hot. A temperature between 40-45°C is ideal. Water that is too hot will destroy the yeast, meaning your dough will fail to rise.
• Don’t Skip the Bicarb Bath: We cannot stress enough how essential this step is! It works by gelatinising the surface of the dough, which stops it from puffing up excessively in the oven and helps to form that wonderfully chewy crust. This also speeds up the Maillard reaction, which gives pretzels their unique flavour and colour. You can discover more about the science from the experts at King Arthur Baking.
• Coat While Warm: To ensure the cinnamon-sugar mix adheres properly to the pretzels, it is vital that you brush them with butter and coat them while they are fresh and hot from the oven.
• Get Creative with Shapes: Although the classic twist shape is traditional, why not have fun making pretzel bites? You can simply cut the dough ropes into small, bite-sized nuggets before boiling and baking. Just remember to reduce the baking time to around 10 minutes.
• Explore Other Sweet Bakes: If you enjoy making comforting sweet bakes like these, we think you will adore our recipe for Blueberry Heaven Cookies The Definitive Recipe For Soft Chewy Perfection. And for another beautifully light and airy treat, you must try our renowned Cloud Cake Recipe.

Frequently Asked Questions about Cinnamon Sugar Soft Pretzels

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Absolutely! Once the dough has been kneaded, you can pop it into a lightly oiled bowl, cover it well, and keep it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to bake, just allow it to come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before you start shaping.

What if my dough doesn’t rise?

The most frequent cause of this is yeast that is old or has expired. We always recommend checking the date on the sachet. It’s also possible that the water you used was too hot, which can kill the yeast. If your dough shows no signs of rising after 1.5 hours in a warm location, it is usually best to begin again with a fresh batch of yeast.

Can I use plain flour instead of bread flour?

You can, although it will alter the final texture. Bread flour is higher in protein, which creates more gluten and gives the pretzels their characteristic chewiness. Using plain flour will result in a pretzel that is softer and has a more cake-like feel.

How should I store leftover pretzels?

These pretzels are truly at their best on the day they are baked. However, should you have any left over, they can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for a couple of days. We suggest warming them through in the oven for a few minutes to bring back their lovely softness.

Conclusion: Your New Favourite Sweet Treat

There’s a special kind of satisfaction that comes from baking from scratch, and these Cinnamon Sugar Soft Pretzels are a wonderfully rewarding project. With their soft, cloud-like interior, chewy crust, and sparkling cinnamon-sugar coating, they are a genuine feast for all the senses. We’ve provided you with all the guidance and tips needed for a perfect result.

So, it’s time to roll up those sleeves, put on your apron, and prepare to fill your kitchen with the most incredible aroma. We are confident that once you’ve tried this recipe, it will become a firm favourite. Please do give it a try, and be sure to drop a comment below to tell us all about your pretzel-baking experience. Happy baking to you!