Cinnamon Raisin Pretzels...Knots

This is another recipe I have been wanting to try for a while now, so on a whim I decided to try them today!

Cinnamon Raisin Pretzels- adapted from Taste of Home

2 1/4 tsp yeast

1 1/2 cups warm water

2 tbsp brown sugar

1 tsp salt

1 tsp cinnamon

2 cups cake flour(or 1 3/4 cup sifted all purpose flour)

2-2 1/4 cup sifted whole wheat flour

3/4 cup raisins

2 cups hot water

2 tbsp baking soda

3 tbsp butter, melted

3 tbsp sugar
1 tsp cinnamon

In stand mixer bowl, dissolve yeast in water, add in brown sugar and salt. Mix in cake/ap flour. Add in rest of flour and cinnamon until a soft dough forms. Coat raisins in 2 tbsp of flour(from flour you are using) and add to dough. Switch to bread hook, and kneed until smooth and elastic, about 3-4 mins. Grease bowl, cover, and let rise for 30 mins.

Punch dough down and divide into 14 balls. Shape into 15 inch long ropes. In a bowl dissolve baking soda into hot water. Dip each rope into the water, drain on paper towels, shape into pretzels. Place on greased cookie sheet and bake for 15 mins at 400 degrees until golden brown. 

Combine sugar and cinnamon. Brush pretzels with butter and sprinkle with sugar mixture.

**These were fantastic and would make great bagels! I have more knots than pretzels, I need to practice the pretzel twist. They were not hard to make, just hard to twist.