Description
These Cinnamon and Raisin Bagels are a delicious homemade breakfast treat featuring a soft, chewy texture infused with warm cinnamon and sweet raisins. Perfect for a morning pick-me-up, these bagels combine the classic bagel-making process with the delightful flavors of cinnamon and raisins, baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 4 cups bread flour, plus extra for dusting
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) instant yeast
- 3/4 cup raisins
Wet Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups warm water (110°F)
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 egg (for egg wash, optional)
For Boiling
- 1 tablespoon sugar (for boiling water)
Instructions
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the bread flour, salt, and ground cinnamon to combine the dry components evenly.
- Activate yeast: In a separate bowl, combine the warm water, instant yeast, and brown sugar. Let it sit for 5 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Form dough: Gradually add the wet yeast mixture to the dry ingredients, stirring until a rough dough forms.
- Knead dough: Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 8–10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic, developing gluten structure essential for bagels.
- Add raisins: Knead in the raisins until they are evenly incorporated throughout the dough.
- First rise: Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover it with a clean towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour or until it has doubled in size.
- Shape bagels: Punch down the risen dough and divide it into 8 equal portions. Roll each piece into a ball, then poke a hole through the center with your finger and gently stretch to form a classic bagel shape.
- Second rise: Arrange the shaped bagels on a lined baking sheet, cover them, and allow them to rise for another 20 minutes.
- Preheat oven and prepare boiling water: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). In the meantime, bring a large pot of water to a boil and add 1 tablespoon of sugar to it.
- Boil bagels: Boil the bagels in batches of 2–3 for 1 minute on each side. This step gives bagels their characteristic chewy crust.
- Prepare for baking: Remove bagels from water carefully and place them back on the baking sheet. Optionally, brush the tops with beaten egg for a glossy, golden finish.
- Bake: Bake the bagels in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes until they turn a beautiful golden brown color.
- Cool and serve: Let the bagels cool slightly on a wire rack before serving. Enjoy with your favorite spreads.
Notes
- For enhanced flavor, soak raisins in warm water for 10 minutes before kneading them into the dough to plump them up.
- Bagels can be frozen after baking. Reheat in the oven or toaster before serving for best results.
- Serve warm with cream cheese, butter, or nut butter for a delicious and satisfying breakfast.
