Homemade Cinnamon Pretzel Twists

Name: Homemade Cinnamon Pretzel Twists
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 85 min
Ingredients: 3 cups bread flour; 1 tablespoon sugar; 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon; 2 1/4 teaspoons 1 package instant yeast; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 cup water; 2 tablespoons vegetable oil; 1 egg; 3 tablespoons coarse cane or pearl sugar

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These irresistible Pretzel Twists combine sweet cinnamon warmth with chewy satisfaction that’s absolutely addictive. One bite of these golden, sugar-sparkled treats and your family will be completely hooked!

A basket lined with parchment paper holds several golden pretzel twists sprinkled with coarse salt, next to a small jar of dipping sauce on a wooden table.

🥨 My cinnamon pretzel twists were such a hit at our family gathering that my sister-in-law immediately asked if I would make them for her book club meeting!

My 2 Best Tips For Making Pretzel Twists

How to Shape a Pretzel: The key to perfect pretzel twists is creating even 20-inch ropes before cutting and twisting to ensure uniform cooking throughout. Roll each piece gently but firmly, then cut in half and twist the two pieces together, pinching the ends securely to prevent unraveling during the boiling and baking process.

Baking Soda: The brief boil in baking soda water is what gives pretzels their distinctive chewy texture and deep color. Don’t skip this step, and make sure the water is at a gentle simmer rather than a rolling boil to prevent the pretzels from falling apart.

melissa leaning over counter looking up from a cook book.

The perfect pretzel dough should be soft and slightly tacky but not sticky. Start with the recommended flour amount and adjust gradually, adding more flour if the dough sticks to your hands or less if it feels too stiff and dry.

Brush the egg wash evenly over each pretzel twist for that beautiful golden sheen. The coarse sugar not only adds sweetness but also creates an attractive sparkly finish that makes these pretzels look professionally made.

These pretzel twists work perfectly as a morning treat with coffee or as a delightful addition to any party spread. They’re versatile enough for any occasion!

🩷 Melissa

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Homemade Cinnamon Pretzel Twists

These irresistible pretzel twists combine sweet cinnamon warmth with chewy satisfaction that's absolutely addictive. One bite of these golden, sugar-sparkled treats and your family will be completely hooked!

Prep Time45

Cook Time10

Rise Time30

Total Time1 25

Course: Appetizers and Snacks

Keyword: pretzel twists

Servings: pretzel twists

Calories: 162kcal

Author: Melissa Griffiths

Ingredients

3 cups bread flour
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
2 ¼ teaspoons 1 package instant yeast
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup water
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 egg
3 tablespoons coarse cane or pearl sugar

Instructions

In the bowl of a stand mixer, using the paddle attachment, combine 2 cups flour, sugar, cinnamon, yeast, and salt.
In saucepan or microwave safe dish, heat water and oil until warm (120° – 130°).
Add liquids to flour mixture. Blend at low speed until moistened. Beat 4 minutes at medium speed.
Switch to the dough hook and mix in the remaining flour a little at a time, to make a soft dough, add more or less flour as needed. Knead the dough for 5 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place dough in lightly oiled bowl and turn to grease top. Cover; let rise in warm place until double about 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 450°. In a 3-quart saucepan, bring 8 cups water and ⅓ cup baking soda to a simmer.
Turn dough onto lightly floured surface; punch down to remove air bubbles. Divide dough into 6 pieces. Roll into 20-inch ropes. Cut each rope in to 2 pieces – now you’ll have 12 pieces.
Roll each piece into a 20-inch rope, cut the rope in half and twist the two pieces together and pinch the ends together. Add twist to the simmering water and cook 10 seconds on each side. Remove with slotted spoon. Place on greased or Silpat line cookie sheet. Repeat with remaining dough.
Beat egg in a small bowl with 1 teaspoon water. Brush the egg wash over the tops of the pretzel twists. Sprinkle a thin layer of coarse sugar on top.
Bake for 10 minutes until deep golden brown.

Notes

Yeast Options: Quick rise or instant yeast works best for this recipe’s 30-minute rise time. If using active dry yeast, dissolve it in the warm water first and allow an additional 15-20 minutes for rising.

Rising Environment: Create the perfect proofing conditions by placing your covered dough bowl in an oven with just the light on.

Dough Consistency: The perfect pretzel dough should be soft and slightly tacky but not sticky. Start with the recommended flour amount and adjust gradually.

Storage Tips:

Store covered at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Or freeze for up to 3 months in airtight containers.

Nutrition

How To Make Pretzel Twists

A collage shows bread-making steps: mixing dough in a bowl, dough rising in a glass bowl, dividing dough into pieces, and rolling pieces into long, thin strips on a floured surface to prepare pretzel twists.

Step 1: Combine flour, sugar, cinnamon, yeast, and salt in a stand mixer bowl, then add heated water and oil (120-130°F) and beat for 4 minutes. Switch to dough hook, gradually add remaining flour, knead for 5 minutes, and let rise in an oiled bowl for 30 minutes until doubled.

Step 2: Preheat oven to 450°F and bring 8 cups water with ⅓ cup baking soda to a simmer in a large saucepan. Punch down the risen dough and divide into 6 pieces, then roll each into 20-inch ropes and cut in half to create 12 pieces total.

Step 3: Roll each piece into a 20-inch rope, cut in half, and twist the two pieces together, pinching the ends to secure. Boil each twist in the baking soda water for 10 seconds per side, then remove with a slotted spoon and place on a greased baking sheet.

Step 4: Beat the egg with 1 teaspoon water and brush over each pretzel twist, then sprinkle with coarse sugar. Bake for 10 minutes until deep golden brown and serve warm with optional cinnamon dulce de leche for dipping.

Recipe FAQs

What if I don’t have coarse sugar?

Regular granulated sugar works as a substitute, though it won’t provide the same sparkly appearance. You can also use sanding sugar, pearl sugar, or even a light sprinkle of cinnamon sugar for different flavor variations.

Why do my pretzels come out tough?

Tough pretzels usually result from over-kneading the dough or adding too much flour. Knead just until the dough becomes smooth and elastic, and resist the urge to add excessive flour during rolling.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough up to 24 hours in advance and store it covered in the refrigerator. Allow the chilled dough to come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before shaping and proceeding with the recipe.