Cinnamon Sugar Pretzels
Pretzel is a type of baked food which can be made soft or hard, sweet or savoury, large or small that is tied in a unique knot like shape which pretzel is known for. There are a lot of variants of this delicious treat like donuts where it can have an array of different flavours, toppings and glaze.
A food item that had originated and popular in Europe but there are many claims on its origins. Each story is a bit interesting and here are some.
- Persian – It was said on an illustration from the 12th century Hortus deliciarum from Alsace that this was in a banquet held by Queen Esther and King Ahasuerus
- Italian – It was said that it was invented by Christian monks during 610 AD to reward children who learn their prayers, they said the shape of a pretzel resembles and arm crossing the chest (a body form when someone is praying). It is then called “pretiola” which means “little rewards”.
- French – They had the same story as the Italians but instead it was invented for the monastery.
- Greek – There was this ancient Greek ring bread that looks like the modern day pretzels which derived from communion bread used in monasteries.
- German – It was claimed that it was invented by desperate bakers in the year 743 as a substitute to the banned heathen baking traditions in a form of sun wheel. The German name is called “Brezel” and was derived from the Latin word called “bracellus” which means bracelet.
Indeed this recipe might have been there for ages, simply because it is a simple bread to make but works a real treat, it is also so flexible in any flavours used that’s why its popularity have been there since the medieval ages. But going to the present time, I guess this piece of bread is even more popularized by Auntie Anne’s where they offer an array of flavours which are all delicious specially when freshly baked, too bad we don’t have Auntie Anne’s here in New Zealand and the last time I had this was in Hollywood, LA and that was last 2009. So the only way to satisfy our cravings is to do this home-made and here is the result.
Ingredients
5 cups flour
1 cup soft brown sugar
4 tsp active dry yeast
1 tsp white sugar
1 1/4 cups water, warm
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 tbsp butter + some for topping, melted
1/4 cup baking soda
2 cups water, hot
1 tbsp cinnamon
butter
Method
1. In a bowl, dissolve yeast and 1 tsp white sugar in warm water, set aside for 15 minutes.
2. In a separate bowl combine flour, 1/2 cup soft brown sugar, and salt. Make a well in the centre the then pour the yeast mixture and the melted butter. Using hand, mix until it forms a dough, remove from bowl then knead until dough is smooth. Place in a lightly greased bowl then cover with plastic wrap. Let it rise in a warm place for about an hour.
3. Divide the dough into 12 pieces then in a non-stick surface (not floured it will be hard to work out in a floured surface) roll each dough into a long rope and form it into a pretzel shape. Set aside.
4. In a bowl add baking soda and hot water.
5. Mix together 1/2 cup soft brown sugar and 1 tbsp cinnamon.
6. Dip each pretzel shaped dough in the baking soda solution then place in a lightly greased baking pan.
7. Sprinkle sugar mixture on top of the pretzels.
8. Bake in a 220C preheated oven for 8 minutes.
9. Remove from oven, spread some butter on top then serve.
the only pretzels i know is a chocolate pretzel biscuit from jack and jill. this looks very delicious.
Lol! I love those ones too.
it looks like a jalebi in India without the sheen. I haven’t tasted it though.
love this!! we buy in auntie anne’s always.. or cinnabon’s cinnabonstix!
wow! ang sarap ! I love pretzels..I always buy at Auntie Anne’s….
Can you stop killing me with your dessert recipe, I mean who will not love this yummy pretzels.
The only pretzels we have in Switzerland are the savoury ones. They are wonderful eaten as sandwiches with dried beef or with salami. I have always promised myself I would try making them on my own….
It’s the first time I see the sweet version. They look delicious!
Snack? Dessert? Yes! Yum!
Those look amazing, so pillowy!
We love soft pretzels at our house. These look fantastic!
You have definitely outdone yourself. I love these Cinnamon Sugar Pretzels. They look delicious and I know everyone will love it if I make these. Thanks for sharing this recipe
Oh my gosh, I need one of these right now. Cinnamon sugar anything is my favorite. These look like Wetzel’s Pretzels status, actually no, I take that back–they look even better!
I love all the stories about the origin of a pretzel – so fun to read. And what an interesting method it is – the baking soda dip, then the sugar dip. Yeast makes me nervous but I’m getting more courage when it comes to baking. This is one I’d like to try.
yummy! Nice photos too! thanks for sharing!
Yummy! I love anything cinnamon & these pretzels look soft and fluffy..Love it!
What a treat! I’ve wanted to make my own soft pretzels for the longest time, but a sweet variation sounds even better.
How wonderful! I’ve only had regular pretzels…never cinnamon sugar ones. They look so good, and I’ve bookmarked your recipe so I can try this. Thanks!
I’ve always wanted to make either pretzels or bagels at home. These look delicious!
I get a pretzel when I go to the mall, but I’ve never made my own. These look so good!
Very interesting post about Pretzels and their origin. I never knew about Pretzels until I came to the US. Obviously these yummy treat is not known in Japan. Among all kinds, my favorite is and has been cinnamon sugar. It’s so irresistible… and can’t stop eating. Your picture is too dangerous!
I heard that the shape of pretzels came from a Greek letter that in the modern time changed it’s shape although we still use it when writing by hand,,
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Yum! In Manila, I’d go to Auntie Anne’s and get the caramel dip!