Homemade Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Bites That Rival Your Local Mall’s Food Court

The mall was one of many go-to hangout spots common for teens when I was in my youth. Bouncing between Charlotte Rouse, Forever 21, Spencer’s, and the other Y2K-era shopping favorites, just to do nothing but window-shop because you only had enough money for food, was a good Saturday afternoon spent.

When it was time to go to the food court, I’d get myself bourbon chicken with lo mein noodles at an American-Chinese chain before grabbing those delicious cinnamon sugar pretzel nuggets from Auntie Anne’s. I never missed an opportunity to get one of those sugary-filled pretzel cups. The joyful experience of eating that dessert followed me into adulthood, to the point that I learned to make my own version for my husband and children to enjoy with me, and now I’m sharing it with you.

Ingredients

For the Pretzels

• 4 Cups Flour (All-Purpose or Bread Flour)

• 1 1/2 Cup Warm Water

• 2 1/4 Teaspoons Active Dry Yeast

• 2 Tablespoons Brown Sugar

• 1/4 Cup Vegetable Oil (Melted Coconut Oil Works, too)

• Dash of Salt

• Pot of Water

• Sprinkle of Baking Soda

For Egg Wash

• 1 Egg

• 1 Tablespoon of Water

For the Cinnamon Sugar

• 1/2 Cup Granulated Sugar

• 1 Tablespoon Ground Cinnamon

• 4 Tablespoons Butter, melted

Instructions

Step 1 - Prepare the Yeast

1. Mix the brown sugar and yeast into the warm water.

2. Let it sit until a foamy layer forms on the water's surface.

Step 2 - Mix and Knead

1. Combine the yeast-water mixture with the flour, oil, and salt, then mix it together with a mixer using a dough hook, a spoon, or by hand.

   • If using a spoon or by hand, mix until it reaches a tousled, almost matted texture.

   • If using a mixer, mix until a textured dough forms.

2. Once you’re done mixing, take the matted-like textured dough or the textured dough ball out of the bowl and knead until it is a smooth dough ball.

   • Knead by folding the dough in on itself, then rolling it. Do this repeatedly until smooth. You can do this on the counter.

Step 3 - Let Dough Rise

1. Grease the bowl with spray oil or melted butter.

2. Place the smooth dough ball into the bowl.

3. Cover the bowl with a damp kitchen towel or plastic wrap.

4. Let the dough rise for an hour.

Step 4 - Stretch, Roll, and Cut Dough

1. When the dough is doubled in size, dump it out of the bowl onto the counter, but do NOT press out the air.

2. Cut the dough into about 9 to 10 sections.

3. Roll and stretch each section into a long string.

4. Cut each string section into bite-sized pieces.

Step 5 - Dip Dough in Baking Soda Bath

1. Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil, and then take it off the heat before sprinkling baking soda into the water.

2. Drop your bit-sized dough pieces into the water, gently mix them around for about 1 minute, then take them out.

3. Place the bit-sized dough pieces on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Step 6 - Egg Wash and Bake Dough

1. Warm the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Beat together the egg and water, and brush the mixture over the bite-sized dough pieces.

3. Bake in the oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until golden brown.

Step 7 - Toss Pretzels in Cinnamon Sugar

1. Mix the sugar and cinnamon in a bowl.

2. Brush or drizzle melted butter on a couple of pretzels at a time, and then immediately toss them in the cinnamon sugar mix. Repeat until you’ve coated every pretzel bite.

   • You must toss the pretzel in the cinnamon sugar while it is still moist from the butter, or the cinnamon sugar will not stick!

3. Eat and enjoy!

Enjoy with Friends and Family!

These cinnamon sugar pretzel bites take about 2 hours to make, start to finish. This recipe serves as a good family-bonding activity, a weekend family dessert, or just a delicious treat on a random day in the middle of the week. Nevertheless, I hope you enjoy!

Until next time, may your everyday hold a little enchantment.