Saturday, October 22, 2011

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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I shared this recipe with the "cute" buttons on the side bar, as well as:
Tuesdays at the Table 


11 comments:

vanessa said...

Yummo, these look amazing! Will have to give this a try. Thanks. :)

Karen said...

Wow! I've never seen bagels made. These look so yummy. May just have to give this a try.

Take care!
Karen
Ladybug Creek

April @ The 21st Century Housewife said...

I've always wanted to try making bagels, and these look so yummy with the lovely cinnamon topping! I co-host a linky called Let's Do Brunch on a Wednesday and I'd love it if you would pop by tomorrow and link these up.

Melinda said...

I've never tried to make anything but plain bagels - I need to get more adventurous. These look wonderful!

Kate @ Modern Alternative Mama said...

I was looking for an email for you but couldn't find one. I have a few ebooks (cookbooks) I'd love to talk to you about, if you would be interested in a review/giveaway for your readers. Email me if so, kate@modernalternativemama.com

PERMANENT POSIES said...

I had no idea that bagels were boiled. Where have I been? I think I will try my hand at it. I recently made breadsticks....ate too many and then put the rest in the freezer.

shari lynne said...

Mmmmm! Delish! I'm going to try this recipe..my kids are crazy for bagels.
Blessings
Shari

Miz Helen said...

Your Crunchy Cinnamon Bagels with Spiced Cream Cheese look fabulous! I can't wait to give them a try. Thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday. Hope you have a great week end and come back soon!
Miz Helen

Amy Anderson said...

I so love homemade bagels. Thanks for linking up at A Little Nosh this week!

Chats the Comfy Cook said...

You have inspired me to give bagels a try. As a New Yorker, I know what a good bagel is. It would be awesome to make them, like that.
Thanks for linking to Bake with Bizzy.

Melissa said...

Oh my! These look delicious! I love Panera's bagels, but now I can't wait to try these out :)