Crunchy Cinnamon Bagels with Spiced Cream Cheese

I've loved bagels as long as I can remember.  Not the ones that you buy in the grocery store stacked up in the plastic, but the fresh, crusty, bakery kind of bagels.  I'm a complete sucker for any little restaurant, cafe, or bakery claiming: "New York Bagels!"   One of my favorite things about going back to Pennsylvania is the little neighborhood bakeries with fresh, homemade baked goods... one thing my southern area sadly lacks.  The only thing that comes close is Panera, or Dunkin Donuts.  ha.  Which is why when I saw this recipe in my Healthy Cooking magazine, I cut it out and saved it knowing that I would eventually try my hand at making bagels.  I've held on to the recipe for quite some time... I don't have a mixer, or a bread machine.  I was amazed though that the whole "kneading by hand for 6-8 minutes" was a complete breeze (why did I wait so long??).  These bagels were easy to make, only considered "slightly time-consuming" because the completion of the recipe is spread out over 2 or more hours... but each individual part is really not time consuming - it's mostly a waiting game.
These bagels are delish - a truly indulgent morning treat!  Crunchy on the outside, and chewy on the inside.  I added my own spiced cream cheese ... love.  Pair this with my Caramel Cinnamon Hot Chocolate and you'll have the "sweetest" day!  Best dishes and yummy dreams!

Crunchy Cinnamon Bagels 

Recipe for bagels courtesy of "Heathy Cooking" Magazine

2 tbsp. dry active yeast

1 1/2 c. warm water (110-115 degrees F)

3 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 c. brown sugar

1 1/2 tsp. salt

2 3/4- 3 1/4 c. all-purpose flour

Topping Ingredients:

1/4 c. sugar

1/4 c. brown sugar

3 tsp. cinnamon

1.  In a large bowl, mix the water and yeast and stir until yeast is dissolved.

2.  Add cinnamon, salt, sugar, and mix.

Water, yeast, cinnamon, sugar, and salt.

3.  Add enough flour to make a soft dough... not too sticky, or too dry.

4.  On a floured surface, knead for 6-8 minutes until dough is elastic and smooth.

5.  Coat a bowl with cooking spray, place dough in bowl, turning once to coat the dough.

6.  Cover and let sit for about an hour in a warm place until dough doubles in size. 

7.  Punch dough down and shape into 12 balls (I only did 8...I'm greedy), push finger through the middle making a 1-inch hole, shape into an even ring.

8.  Place bagels on a floured surface and cover, allowing them to rise again.

9.  Fill a dutch oven 2/3 full with water and bring to a boil.

10.  Place bagels into boiling water, cook for 45 seconds on each side.

11.  Place bagels on paper towel to thoroughly dry.  

12.  Spray a pan with nonstick spray, place bagels on pan, mix topping ingredients together and sprinkle the mixture on each bagel.

Topping ingredients

13.  Bake for 15-25 minutes on 400 degrees F.  

Spiced Cream Cheese

Cream cheese

Powdered sugar

Cinnamon

Nutmeg

Vanilla

Mix desired amount of each ingredient together and spread on bagel!  

For one bagel, I used about 2 1/2 tbsp. of cream cheese, 1 tsp. sugar, and dashes of each spice!

Bagels with the sunrise!
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Tuesdays at the Table 

Bake with Bizzy