Introduction
These Cinnamon Sugar Bagels are soft, chewy, and topped with a delightful cinnamon-sugar mixture, offering the perfect balance of sweetness and spice. Whether enjoyed as a breakfast treat, snack, or dessert, these homemade bagels are sure to please your taste buds. Easy to make, with just a few simple ingredients, you’ll have a warm and flavorful batch in no time.
Why You’ll Love Cinnamon Sugar Bagels
- Soft & Chewy: The bagels are tender on the inside with a slightly crisp crust on the outside.
- Sweet & Spicy: The cinnamon sugar coating adds a sweet, spicy flavor that’s irresistible.
- Homemade Delight: Making bagels from scratch is surprisingly simple and so much tastier than store-bought.
- Versatile: Perfect for breakfast, a snack, or as a sweet addition to any meal.
Ingredients
- Warm Water: Essential for activating the yeast and helping the dough rise.
- Active Dry Yeast: The leavening agent that allows the bagels to rise and become soft and airy.
- Granulated Sugar: Provides a touch of sweetness to the dough and helps feed the yeast.
- All-Purpose Flour: Forms the base of the dough, contributing to the chewy texture.
- Salt: Enhances the flavor of the dough.
- Vegetable Oil: Adds moisture and helps give the bagels a tender texture.
- Cinnamon: Ground cinnamon adds a warm, spicy flavor that pairs perfectly with the sugar.
- Egg Yolk: Used to create a glossy finish on the bagels.
- Cinnamon Sugar: A mixture of cinnamon and sugar that gives the bagels their signature sweet coating.
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
In a large bowl, combine warm water, yeast, and a pinch of sugar. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes, or until the mixture becomes frothy.
Step 2: Mix Ingredients
Add the remaining sugar, salt, and oil to the yeast mixture. Gradually add the flour, stirring until the dough begins to form. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 10 minutes, until it’s smooth and elastic.
Step 3: Let the Dough Rise
Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
Step 4: Shape the Bagels
Once the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into 8 equal portions. Roll each portion into a ball and then use your thumb to create a hole in the center of each ball, gently stretching it to form a bagel shape.
Step 5: Boil the Bagels
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Carefully drop the bagels into the boiling water, a few at a time. Boil each bagel for about 1-2 minutes on each side, then remove with a slotted spoon and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Step 6: Egg Wash and Bake
Brush the top of each bagel with a beaten egg yolk for a glossy finish. Bake the bagels in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.
Step 7: Coat in Cinnamon Sugar
While the bagels are still warm, sprinkle them generously with the cinnamon sugar mixture. Let them cool on a wire rack.
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8
Calories per serving: 300
Nutrition Information
- Total Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
- Sodium: 250mg
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 18g
- Protein: 6g
- Vitamin D: 0mcg
- Calcium: 25mg
- Iron: 2mg
- Potassium: 100mg
How to Serve Cinnamon Sugar Bagels
- With Cream Cheese: Spread with plain or flavored cream cheese for extra richness.
- With Nut Butter: Enjoy with peanut butter, almond butter, or Nutella for a savory-sweet treat.
- As a Dessert: Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a fun dessert twist.
Additional Tips
- Perfect the Boil: Boiling the bagels helps create that iconic chewy texture.
- Customize the Topping: Feel free to experiment with different toppings like sprinkles, chopped nuts, or a drizzle of honey.
- Storage: Store leftover bagels in an airtight container for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 1 month. Reheat in the oven for a fresh, warm bagel experience.
FAQ Section
Q1: Can I freeze these bagels?
A1: Yes! After baking and cooling, freeze the bagels in an airtight container for up to 1 month.
Q2: How do I get a chewy bagel?
A2: Boiling the bagels before baking is key to achieving a chewy texture.
Q3: Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour?
A3: Yes, you can use whole wheat flour, but the bagels may be denser.
Q4: How do I make a larger batch?
A4: Simply double or triple the ingredients and bake in batches.
Q5: Can I add raisins or other mix-ins?
A5: Yes, feel free to fold in raisins, dried cranberries, or nuts for added flavor.
Q6: Can I make mini bagels?
A6: Yes, reduce the baking time and shape the dough into smaller portions for mini bagels.
Q7: Can I make these bagels without an egg wash?
A7: Yes, you can skip the egg wash, but it helps create a shiny finish on the bagels.
Q8: What’s the best way to reheat leftover bagels?
A8: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5 minutes to restore the chewy texture.
Q9: Can I make these bagels without boiling them?
A9: Boiling is important for traditional bagel texture, but if you’re in a rush, you can skip it, though the texture may differ.
Q10: How do I store these bagels?
A10: Keep bagels in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze them.
Cinnamon Sugar Bagels Recipe
Cinnamon Sugar Bagels are a delicious homemade treat that’s surprisingly easy to make. These bagels are chewy, slightly sweet, and perfect for breakfast or a snack, especially when paired with your favorite cream cheese spread.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 bagels 1x
- Category: breakfast
- Method: baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups very warm water (like hot bathwater)
- 2 packets active dry yeast (about 4 1/2 teaspoons)
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 1/2 – 4 cups bread flour
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- Water for boiling
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough:
Heat water in the microwave until it’s very warm, like hot bathwater (about 45-60 seconds). Add the yeast and brown sugar, stir, and let sit for 5 minutes until frothy. - Mix the Dough:
While the yeast is proofing, add 3 1/2 cups of flour and salt to a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Stir the flour and salt together.
Turn the mixer on low and slowly pour the yeast mixture into the flour mixture. Mix until a dough forms, then continue mixing for another minute. If the dough is too sticky, add up to another 1/2 cup of flour. The dough should be slightly sticky but manageable. - Let the Dough Rise:
Spray a large bowl with cooking spray and transfer the dough to the bowl. Spray the dough with cooking spray, cover it with plastic wrap, and let it sit until it doubles in size, about one hour. - Shape the Bagels:
Bring a large pot of water to a boil on the stove. Once the dough has risen, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and divide it into 12 equal parts, rolling them into balls. Let them rest for 5 minutes.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two cookie sheets with Silpat baking mats or spray them with cooking spray. Add honey to the boiling water and stir. - Boil the Bagels:
Pick up each dough ball and press two fingers through the center, creating the bagel hole. Boil each bagel for about 45 seconds, flipping once. Remove them with a slotted spoon and place them on the prepared cookie sheets. - Add Toppings:
Beat the egg in a small bowl and brush the tops of the bagels with the egg wash. Stir together the granulated sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl, then sprinkle this mixture over the bagels. - Bake the Bagels:
Bake the bagels for 15-20 minutes, rotating the pans halfway through baking, until they start to turn golden brown. - Serve:
Serve the bagels warm from the oven, cold, or toasted with your favorite cream cheese spread. Store in an airtight container; they are best eaten within 2 days, but you can freeze them for up to one month.
Notes
- For an extra touch, you can also sprinkle the bagels with a bit more cinnamon sugar once they’re out of the oven.
- These bagels can also be enjoyed with butter, jam, or peanut butter.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bagel
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 35mg