Okay, so listen up! If you’ve never made pretzels at home, you are seriously missing out. And I’m not talking about just any pretzels, I’m talking about these warm, soft, slightly chewy, and utterly glorious Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Sticks. Seriously, they are pure magic. Imagine biting into a warm hug coated in sweet, sparkly cinnamon sugar. That’s these pretzels.
The first time I made these, my kitchen smelled like a bakery, and honestly, I almost didn’t share! They disappeared faster than I thought possible. There’s something so satisfying about taking simple ingredients and turning them into something this good. Plus, they are way easier to make than you might think, which is always a win in my book. Whether you need a fun weekend baking project or just a seriously delicious snack, these cinnamon sugar pretzel sticks are your answer. Trust me on this one!
Why You’ll Love These Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Sticks
Why should you dive into making these pretzel sticks? Oh, let me count the ways! They are:
- Seriously Delicious: That warm, soft inside with the sweet, crunchy cinnamon sugar outside? Unbeatable!
- Surprisingly Simple: Don’t let the idea of making pretzels scare you. It’s totally doable and super rewarding.
- Perfectly Textured: They’ve got that classic pretzel chewiness without being tough, thanks to a little baking soda magic.
- A Crowd-Pleaser: Kids and adults alike go absolutely wild for these.
- Versatile: Great for a movie night, a party snack, or even a sneaky dessert!
Basically, they’re everything you want in a sweet treat, made right in your own kitchen!
Essential Equipment for Making Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Sticks
You don’t need a fancy kitchen setup for these, which is great! Here’s what you’ll definitely want to have on hand:
- A large mixing bowl for getting that dough going.
- A sturdy pot, big enough to give those pretzel sticks a quick bath.
- Baking sheets – you’ll need a couple, lined with parchment paper so nothing sticks.
- A pastry brush is super helpful for that final butter and sugar coating.
That’s pretty much it! Just the basics to get these delicious treats made.
Ingredients for Perfect Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Sticks
Alright, let’s talk ingredients! Luckily, you probably have most of these hanging out in your pantry already. We’re keeping things pretty simple here, just like I like it.
You’ll need 1 cup of warm water, and by warm, I mean between 100-110°F – think bathwater warm, not hot! Then grab 1 tablespoon of regular granulated sugar and 2 teaspoons of kosher salt. This is for the dough base. For the magic leavening, you need 1 packet of active dry yeast. For the bulk of the dough, we’re using 3 cups of good old all-purpose flour. And don’t forget the richness: 1/4 cup of melted butter.
Now, for that crucial pretzel bath, you’ll need 1/2 cup of baking soda and a big pot with 9 cups of water. And finally, the star coating! You’ll need another 1/2 cup of melted butter, 1/2 cup of granulated sugar, and 2 tablespoons of ground cinnamon. Simple, right?
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Sticks
A couple of quick notes on these ingredients! Make sure your yeast is active – if it doesn’t get foamy in that warm water with the sugar, it’s probably dead, and you’ll need new yeast. The baking soda bath is key! It’s what gives pretzels that unique, slightly chewy exterior. Don’t skip it!
As for substitutions, you *could* try a gluten-free all-purpose blend, but the texture might be a little different. You can easily make these dairy-free by using a plant-based butter alternative. For the cinnamon sugar, feel free to play with the ratio – if you love cinnamon, add a little more! You can also switch things up with brown sugar for a deeper flavor.
How to Make Delicious Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Sticks
Okay, deep breaths! Making pretzels might sound intimidating, but trust me, we’re going to break it down into super simple steps. It’s actually really fun, and the smell filling your kitchen is worth every second!
First things first, get your yeast happy. In a big bowl, whisk together that warm water (remember, bathwater warm!), the sugar, and the salt. Sprinkle the yeast right over the top. Give it about 5 minutes, and you should see it get all bubbly and foamy. That means your yeast is alive and ready to party!
Next, dump in the flour and the melted butter. Stir it with a spoon or a spatula until it looks like a messy, shaggy dough. Don’t worry if it looks weird at this stage, it’s supposed to! Now, turn that dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Time to knead! Push, fold, and turn for about 6-8 minutes. You’ll feel it change – it’ll become smooth and springy, like a little doughy muscle.
Give your bowl a quick grease with a little oil, pop the dough back in, and turn it to coat. Cover it up with plastic wrap or a clean towel and let it rise in a warm spot. An hour should do it; you want it to double in size. While it’s rising, preheat your oven to 400°F and get those baking sheets lined with parchment paper.
Now for the slightly science-y part – the baking soda bath! Bring 9 cups of water and the baking soda to a rolling boil in a big pot. This bath is key to that classic pretzel chewiness. Divide your dough into 12 equal pieces. I usually just eyeball it, but you can weigh them for perfect uniformity if you’re feeling fancy. Roll each piece into a rope, about 12 inches long.
Carefully drop each rope into the boiling water for just 30 seconds. Seriously, don’t go longer! Use a slotted spoon to lift them out and place them on your prepared baking sheets. They’ll look a little puffy and weird, that’s totally normal.
Pop those sheets into the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes. You’re looking for a nice golden brown color. While they’re baking, melt that second batch of butter and mix your sugar and cinnamon in a small dish.
The second those beautiful, golden pretzel sticks come out of the oven, brush them generously with the melted butter. Work quickly while they’re hot! Then, sprinkle that glorious cinnamon sugar all over them. Get every surface! Let them cool just enough so you don’t burn your tongue (the hardest part!), and then devour!
Step-by-Step Instructions for Your Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Sticks
- In a large bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and salt. Sprinkle yeast over top and let sit 5 minutes until foamy.
- Add flour and melted butter to yeast mixture. Stir until a shaggy dough forms.
- Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead 6-8 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour until doubled.
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Bring 9 cups water and baking soda to a rolling boil in a large pot.
- Divide dough into 12 pieces. Roll each into a 12-inch rope.
- Dip each rope in boiling water for 30 seconds, then place on baking sheets.
- Bake 12-15 minutes until golden brown.
- While warm, brush with melted butter and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.
Tips for Achieving Perfect Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Sticks
Want to make sure your cinnamon sugar pretzel sticks turn out absolutely perfect every single time? Here are a few little tricks I’ve picked up:
- Don’t Over-Knead: While kneading is important for developing gluten, overdoing it can make your pretzels tough. Stop when the dough is smooth and springs back slowly when you poke it.
- Be Gentle with the Boil: That 30-second dip in the baking soda water is crucial, but don’t let them sit too long! Just a quick dip is enough to give them that classic pretzel chew.
- Coat While Hot: The key to getting that cinnamon sugar to stick beautifully is to brush with melted butter and sprinkle the sugar on as soon as they come out of the oven. The heat helps everything adhere!
- Even Ropes: Try to roll your dough pieces into roughly the same thickness so they bake evenly.
Follow these simple tips, and you’ll be a pretzel-making pro in no time!
Serving Suggestions for Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Sticks
Okay, so you’ve got these warm, glorious cinnamon sugar pretzel sticks in front of you. Now what? Honestly, they are absolutely divine just as they are – hot out of the oven is peak pretzel stick! But if you want to take things up a notch, try dipping them in a little cream cheese frosting (like the kind you’d put on carrot cake!) or even just some plain melted butter for extra richness. They’re perfect for movie nights, casual get-togethers, or anytime you just need a seriously good sweet snack. Enjoy!
Storing and Reheating Your Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Sticks
If by some miracle you actually have any leftover cinnamon sugar pretzel sticks (good luck with that!), storing them is easy. Let them cool completely first, then pop them into an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay good for a couple of days, though the cinnamon sugar coating might lose a *tiny* bit of its crunch.
To bring them back to life, my favorite way to reheat is in a toaster oven or a regular oven preheated to about 350°F for just a few minutes until they’re warm and slightly crispy again. A quick zap in the microwave works too, but they might be a little softer. Either way, they’re still delicious!
Frequently Asked Questions About Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Sticks
Got questions? Totally understandable! Here are a few common ones I get about these cinnamon sugar pretzel sticks:
Can I make Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Sticks ahead of time?
Yes, you absolutely can! You can make the dough the day before and let it do its first rise in the fridge overnight. Just pull it out about 30-60 minutes before you plan to shape and boil them to let it come closer to room temperature. Baking them fresh is always best for that warm, soft texture and sticky coating, but you can do the dough prep in advance!
Why are my Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Sticks tough or dense?
A few things could cause this! Make sure your yeast is active – if it didn’t get foamy, your dough won’t rise properly. Also, be careful not to add too much flour when kneading; that can make the dough stiff. And probably most importantly, don’t over-boil them! Just 30 seconds in the baking soda bath is plenty. Too long in the water can make them tough.
What is the best way to get the cinnamon sugar to stick?
The key here is timing! You need to brush the pretzel sticks with melted butter and sprinkle on the cinnamon sugar mixture *immediately* after they come out of the oven, while they are still hot. The heat from the pretzel melts the butter, which then helps the sugar and cinnamon really cling on and create that perfect sweet coating.
Estimated Nutritional Information
Okay, for those of you who like to keep track, here’s a rough idea of the nutritional side of things for these cinnamon sugar pretzel sticks. Keep in mind, this is just an estimate! It can totally change depending on the specific brands you use for your ingredients and how big you make your pretzel sticks. Think of it as a ballpark figure, not a hard and fast rule.
Based on the recipe yielding 12 pretzel sticks, you’re looking at approximately:
- Calories: Around 250 per pretzel stick.
- Sugar: About 20g.
- Sodium: Roughly 400mg (thanks, baking soda!).
- Fat: About 8g total.
- Saturated Fat: Around 5g.
- Unsaturated Fat: About 2g.
- Trans Fat: Hopefully 0g if you’re using real butter!
- Carbohydrates: Roughly 40g.
- Fiber: About 2g.
- Protein: Around 5g.
- Cholesterol: About 15mg.
Again, these numbers are just estimates! Enjoy your delicious homemade treats!
Enjoy Your Homemade Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Sticks
So there you have it! My go-to recipe for these absolutely addictive cinnamon sugar pretzel sticks. I really hope you give them a try – they are SO worth it! Whip up a batch, share them (or don’t, I won’t judge!), and let me know what you think in the comments below. Happy baking!
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Glorious Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Sticks in 12 Steps
- Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 pretzel sticks 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Sweet and soft pretzel sticks coated in cinnamon sugar, perfect for a snack or dessert.
Ingredients
- 1 cup warm water (100-110°F)
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 packet active dry yeast
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 9 cups water
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Dissolve sugar and salt in warm water in a large bowl. Sprinkle yeast over the top and let stand for 5 minutes until foamy.
- Add flour and melted butter to the yeast mixture. Mix until a shaggy dough forms.
- Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 6-8 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour until doubled in size.
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Bring 9 cups of water and baking soda to a rolling boil in a large pot.
- Divide dough into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a rope about 12 inches long.
- Dip each rope into the boiling water for 30 seconds, then place on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden brown.
- While pretzels are still warm, brush with melted butter and sprinkle generously with cinnamon sugar mixture.
Notes
- Ensure your water is the correct temperature for activating the yeast.
- Do not over-boil the pretzels; 30 seconds is sufficient.
- Adjust the amount of cinnamon and sugar to your preference.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pretzel stick
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: cinnamon sugar, pretzel, snack, sweet, baked goods