As the summer heat begins to take a rain check and folks start tank tops in favor of light sweaters, autumn steadily makes it’s way into New England. With this shift in seasons comes the arrival of a perennial favorite past time, the state fair.

Although sometimes referred to as agriculture fairs due to the swarms of livestock inevitably on display, many attendees return each year less for the animals and more for the rows of pavillions dishing out all the deep-fried, cheese-drenched and sugar-dusted fair foods that few have the willpower to dismiss.

During my annual trips to the Topsfield fair in Topsfild, MA as a young child, I recall being tantilized by one eye-catching pavillion found amongst the herds of people, farm animals and exhibits. Marked by an oversized inflatable tumbler with a steer printed on it, this stand was dedicated to the art of deep-frying.

The men behind this operation would deep-fry anything and everything. From classics like Twinkies and candy bars to head-scratchers like bubblegum, it seemed as if nothing was off-limits. Naturally, my unadventurous 9-year old self gravitated toward deep-fried Oreo cookies, an item in such high demand, they were battered and fried ahead of time and then re-submerged to order. Nevertheless, it was an exercise in taking a classic and improving upon it.

These days, as someone who vaguely resembles an adult, my eating habits are not what they once were, which is certainly a good thing. However, when I discovered a nearby hangout that was doing unheard of things with everyone’s favorite cream-filled cookie, I needed to see it for myself.

The Hopknot in downtown Manchester, NH is a popular watering hole known for house-made pretzels. From stuffed pretzels, to sandwiches made with freshly baked pretzel bread, fans of gluten have plenty of enticing options. My inner nine-year-old came alive when I first scanned the dessert menu and read “Pretzel Oreos”.

They’re exactly what they sound like: Oreo cookies wrapped in pretzel dough, dusted with cinnamon sugar and baked until golden. It’s hardly surprising that we’ve found ourselves here given the popularity of pretzel hybrids on supermarket shelves, from M&M’s to burger buns to ice cream.

These little beauties arrive four to an order, glimmering with caramelized cinnamon sugar. The pretzel exterior is slightly chewy, a little salty and subtly sweet, while the cookie inside is softened while still holding on to the slightest bit of crunch. They come served with the choice of Nutella or homemade maple cream for that extra blast of sugar.

Spend a blissful ten minutes with these alongside a local beer from Hopknot’s rotating selection or a hot chai from one of the several excellent coffee shops in the area, and bask in the unification of your current self with your inner pre-teen.

Find the Hopknot at 1000 Elm Street in Manchester, NH.