Description
Recreate the irresistible warm, soft, and buttery cinnamon sugar pretzel bites from your favorite mall spot in your own kitchen. This recipe guides you through making the perfect pretzel dough, forming them into bite-sized pieces, baking them to golden perfection, and coating them in a sweet cinnamon sugar mixture. A simple optional icing dip is included to complete this delightful treat.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup warm water (105-115°F)
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 standard packet)
- 4 ½ cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, plus more for brushing
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- For the optional icing dip:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the warm water and 1 teaspoon granulated sugar. Sprinkle the yeast over the top and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
- Add the flour, 1 teaspoon salt, and 2 tablespoons melted butter to the yeast mixture. Stir until a shaggy dough forms.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a shallow dish, combine the ½ cup granulated sugar and 2 teaspoons cinnamon for the coating.
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, bring 8 cups of water and the baking soda to a rolling boil.
- Punch down the risen dough and divide it into 4 equal portions.
- Roll each portion into a rope about ½ inch thick. Cut the ropes into 1-inch pieces.
- Working in batches, boil the pretzel bites in the baking soda water for 20-30 seconds each.
- Using a slotted spoon, remove the pretzel bites from the water and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Brush the tops of the pretzel bites with melted butter.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until golden brown.
- While the pretzel bites are still warm, toss them in the cinnamon sugar mixture until evenly coated.
- For the optional icing dip, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add more milk a teaspoon at a time if needed to reach desired consistency.
- Serve the warm pretzel bites with the icing dip.
Notes
- Ensure your water is the correct temperature for the yeast to activate properly.
- Don’t over-knead the dough; you want it to be smooth but not tough.
- The baking soda bath is crucial for that classic pretzel crust.
- Toss the pretzel bites in the cinnamon sugar while they are still warm so the coating adheres well.
- Adjust the amount of milk in the icing for a thinner or thicker dip.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Snack
- Method: Baking, Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6th of recipe (approx. 6-8 bites)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 20mg