Auntie Anne's Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel features a soft, golden-brown pretzel generously coated with a warm cinnamon and sweet sugar blend, delivering a delightful mix of chewy texture and aromatic sweetness.
Equipments
- Mixing bowl
- Stand mixer (with dough hook)
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Whisk
- Dough scraper
- Plastic wrap or kitchen towel
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Slotted spoon
- Large pot (for boiling water & baking soda)
- Cooling rack
- Small bowl (for cinnamon sugar blend)
- Pastry brush
Ingredients
- 1 cup warm water (about 110°F/43°C)
- 2 1/4 teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (plus more for brushing)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 cups all-purpose flour (plus more for dusting)
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 8 cups water
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (for coating)
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Warm water around 110degF (43degC) is essential to activate the active dry yeast properly, ensuring your pretzel dough rises perfectly. Use unsalted butter melted and reserved for brushing to achieve the signature soft and golden crust without overpowering the cinnamon sugar flavor. The baking soda solution, made with 1/2 cup baking soda and 8 cups water, is crucial for boiling the pretzels before baking; it creates their classic chewy texture and shiny surface. Be sure to mix the cinnamon and granulated sugar well to evenly coat your pretzels for that perfect balance of warm spice and sweetness. Your homemade Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel will closely mimic Auntie Anne's copycat version, delivering a soft, chewy treat generously coated with aromatic cinnamon sugar.
Instructions
- Combine warm water, active dry yeast, brown sugar, and granulated sugar in the mixing bowl. Let sit until foamy.
- Add melted butter and salt to the yeast mixture.
- Gradually add all-purpose flour, mixing with the stand mixer and dough hook until dough forms.
- Knead on medium speed until dough is smooth and elastic.
- Shape dough into a ball and place in a greased bowl.
- Cover with plastic wrap or kitchen towel; let rise until doubled in size.
- Preheat oven to 450°F (232°C). Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large pot, combine water and baking soda; bring to a boil.
- Punch down dough, transfer to a floured surface, and divide into portions.
- Roll each portion into a long rope and shape into pretzels.
- Using slotted spoon, dip each pretzel into boiling baking soda solution for 20-30 seconds; let excess water drip off.
- Arrange boiled pretzels on parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake in preheated oven until golden brown.
- Brush warm pretzels with melted butter using pastry brush.
- Mix granulated sugar and ground cinnamon in small bowl.
- Coat buttered pretzels evenly with cinnamon-sugar blend.
- Cool slightly on cooling rack before serving.
Substitution
Auntie Anne's Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel from this copycat menu replicates the iconic soft pretzel crust coated in a fragrant cinnamon and sugar mixture for a sweet, chewy treat. You can substitute active dry yeast with instant yeast by reducing the rising time slightly, ensuring the dough still achieves the perfect fluffy texture. If unsalted butter is not available, salted butter can be used but reduce added salt to maintain balanced flavor. For the cinnamon sugar coating, mix in a pinch of nutmeg or cloves to create a spiced variation that enhances warmth and complexity. When boiling pretzels in the baking soda water, avoid overcrowding the pot to ensure even cooking and texture.
Tips
Ensure your yeast is fresh and the water temperature is around 110degF (43degC) to activate it properly; water that's too hot or cold can inhibit rising. When boiling pretzels in the baking soda solution, avoid over- or under-boiling; 20-30 seconds is optimal to develop the characteristic chewy crust. Use a stand mixer with a dough hook to knead the dough until smooth and elastic, typically about 5-7 minutes, which improves texture. Your pretzels will taste best when brushed with melted butter immediately after baking and coated evenly with the cinnamon-sugar blend while still warm.
Nutritions
Auntie Anne's Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel provides a treat rich in carbohydrates from all-purpose flour and sugars, delivering quick energy. The unsalted butter adds a modest amount of fat, contributing to the pretzel's soft texture and buttery flavor. Yeast fermentation enhances digestibility and may increase certain B vitamins, which are beneficial for metabolism. Your enjoyment of this snack can be balanced with consideration of its sugar content to maintain a mindful approach to nutrition.
Storage
Store your Auntie Anne's Cinnamon Sugar Pretzels in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days to maintain their soft texture. For longer storage, wrap each pretzel tightly in plastic wrap and freeze them for up to one month. Reheat frozen pretzels in a preheated oven at 350degF (175degC) for about 5-7 minutes to restore their fresh-baked quality.
Variation or Alternatives
You can experiment by replacing half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a nuttier flavor and added fiber. Instead of boiling in baking soda water, try dipping pretzels briefly in a mixture of water and malt syrup to enhance browning and add subtle sweetness. For a variation in the coating, substitute the cinnamon-sugar blend with a mix of powdered sugar and cocoa powder to create a chocolate twist. Brushing the pretzels with cream cheese glaze after baking offers a rich, tangy contrast to the sweet cinnamon-sugar exterior.
Allergies
Auntie Anne's Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel contains wheat, which can trigger allergic reactions in individuals with gluten intolerance or wheat allergies. The presence of butter introduces dairy allergens that might affect those with milk sensitivities. If you have allergies related to yeast, cinnamon, or sugar, it's important to be cautious when enjoying this treat.
Why this recipe?
The Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel from Auntie Anne's combines a perfectly soft and chewy texture with a sweet cinnamon sugar coating that creates an irresistible flavor. Your taste buds will enjoy the warm blend of cinnamon and sugar that complements the freshly baked pretzel's golden crust. Making a copycat version at home is worth it because you can customize sweetness and enjoy the same delightful treat anytime without the need for a trip to the store. Replicating this popular snack lets you savor the iconic taste at your convenience while saving money.