Cinnamon Pretzels: Bake Perfect Soft & Chewy Twists at Home

Have you ever craved the warm, comforting taste of cinnamon and the perfect chewy texture of a freshly baked pretzel? Today, we're going to satisfy that craving by making cinnamon pretzels at home, and we promise, it's easier than you think.

Imagine biting into a soft, golden-brown pretzel, the outer crust giving way to a tender, perfect interior. Now, picture that delightful experience with an added layer of warmth and spice from cinnamon. That's what we're going for here, and we're going to guide you through every step.

Gathering Your Ingredients

Before we begin, let's ensure you have all the necessary ingredients. While some may seem unconventional for pretzels, trust us, they're all essential for that perfect cinnamon pretzel flavor.

Here's what you'll need:

• 3 cups of all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup of warm water
• 2 1/4 teaspoons of instant yeast
• 2 tablespoons of brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter, melted
• 3/4 cup of granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons of milk
• Coarse sea salt, for sprinkling

Activate the Yeast

The first step is to activate the yeast. In a small bowl, combine warm water, instant yeast, and a tablespoon of brown sugar. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes frothy. This tells you that the yeast is alive and ready to work its magic.

Pro tip: Make sure the water isn't too hot, as it can kill the yeast. Around 105°F to 110°F (41°C to 43°C) should do the trick.

Prepare the Dough

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, remaining tablespoon of brown sugar, and salt. Add the melted butter and the activated yeast mixture. Using a wooden spoon, mix until a dough forms. You may need to use your hands towards the end to ensure everything is well incorporated.

Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5 minutes. The dough might be a bit sticky at first, but don't be tempted to add more flour. Instead, try to avoid adding excessive flour to keep the pretzels soft and chewy. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise for about 45 minutes or until it has doubled in size.

Prepare the Cinnamon Sugar Coating

While the dough is rising, let's prepare the cinnamon sugar coating that will give our pretzels that irresistible warmth and crunch.

Combine the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon in a shallow dish. Mix well to ensure the cinnamon is evenly distributed. Set this aside until we're ready to coat our pretzels.

Shape the Pretzels

Once the dough has risen, preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces. On a lightly greased surface, roll each piece into a 20-inch rope. Then, shape each rope into a pretzel. Make a long "U", cross the ends over each other, then twist them and bring them back down to the base of the "U".

Pro tip: For clean-looking pretzels, try to make the "U" a bit longer than the twisted part to hide the twisted section underneath.

Boil the Pretzels

Bring a large pot of water and 2 tablespoons of milk to a boil. Working in batches, use a slotted spoon to lower each pretzel into the boiling water. Boil for 30 seconds to 1 minute on each side. This step helps achieve that delightfully chewy interior and a soft crust.

After boiling, use the slotted spoon to remove the pretzels from the water, allowing the excess water to drip off. Place them on the prepared baking sheet. Remember to leave some space between each pretzel to allow for rising.

Bake and Glaze

Sprinkle the pretzels generously with coarse sea salt. Bake for about 15-20 minutes or until they're a beautiful golden brown. Keep an eye on them towards the end to prevent burning.

While the pretzels are baking, mix 2 tablespoons of melted butter into the cinnamon sugar mixture. As soon as you remove the pretzels from the oven, dip each one into the cinnamon butter mixture, coating them thoroughly. Return them to the baking sheet and let them cool.

There you have it, your homemade cinnamon pretzels, baked to golden perfection and coated in a irresistible cinnamon-sugar embrace. Enjoy them while they're still warm, but be careful - they're best shared with loved ones, and they won't last long! Happy baking!