Cinnamon Raisin Bagels

Making bagels at home seems hard, but I can assure you, it's really not!  I love having different varieties in my freezer at all times.  Sometimes I feel like I can't make them fast enough for my family!  

Cinnamon raisin has always been a family favorite.  Heck, we really like them all...here is my recipe for Everything Bagels - and Salt, too!  Same basic dough recipe.  You can create any flavor you like if you have this up your sleeve!  

The dough is mixed with raisins and swirled with cinnamon, which makes it look so pretty and tasty!  This is the dough after it's been resting for about an hour.  

Butter or cream cheese?  Toasted or not?  I actually like to eat these still warm from the oven with a slather of cream cheese.  Go ahead, try it.  Quite tasty freshly baked, right?  

Makes 8 bagels

Cinnamon Raisin Bagels

3 1/2 cups bread flour

1 1/4 cups warm water

1 1/2 tablespoons sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

2 teaspoons instant yeast 

1 cup raisins

1 tablespoon cinnamon 

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine all the ingredients needed for the dough.  Mix on low until all the flour is incorporated, then turn it up to medium speed and mix for about 5 minutes.  Once you have a pretty smooth dough (the dough should have pulled away from the sides and bowl should be pretty clean), sprinkle the raisins and cinnamon over the dough.  Use your hands to knead and mix throughout the dough, for about 2-3 minutes.  Turn the dough out and spray the same bowl with non-stick cooking spray.  Return the dough to the bowl, giving it a turn or two to coat in oil.  Let rest, covered with a clean dish towel for an hour.  

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and cut into 8 equal pieces.  Roll into a ball and use a finger to press and stretch a small hole through.  Allow them to rest for about 10 minutes.  Meanwhile, put a large pot of water on to boil.  Spray an 11 x 18-inch baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray and preheat oven to 425 degrees. 

Place the bagels into the boiling water (2-3 at a time depending on how big your pot is) for 45 seconds to a minute on each side.  Remove and place on prepared baking sheet.  Repeat until all the bagels have been boiled.  

Bake for 20 minutes, until the tops are golden.  Enjoy immediately or store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.  Or freeze for up to 6 months.  

You may also like:

Almond Poppy Seed Bread

Clementine Quick Bread

Lemon Ricotta Pound Cake

Dutch Oven No-Knead Crusty Bread