Homemade Cinnamon Raisin Bagels

Nothing like Homemade Bagels and these Cinnamon Raisin Bagels are a must try! Perfect for breakfast or snack. Toasted or plain they will become a family favourite.

I have been a lover of bagels since forever, when I started working full-time in Toronto they were my major food purchase. I would go to Druxey’s and get a large coffee double cream and a double melted cheddar cheese toasted bagel for breakfast. Oh no, now my mouth is watering!

Now whenever I go back to Canada, doesn’t matter who I am staying with, I must have a toasted cinnamon raisin bagel with butter and peanut butter every single morning. Can you tell I can’t find bagels in Italy?

Bread was the new “in” thing back in 2020. But I must say it made me extremely happy to hear that. For me there is nothing like making and baking your own Homemade Bread. I have said it before and I will say it again, bread making isn’t difficult, it just needs time. And most of that time is spent waiting.

And what better way to start, then with these Homemade Bagels, they are delicious. These are a two day bagel, which means, the dough has to rest in the refrigerator for 12-18 hours.

Recipe Ingredients

• Cinnamon – ground cinnamon
• Vanilla – vanilla extract
• Raisins – soaked plump raisins
• Yeast – active dry yeast
• Water – lukewarm
• Flour – bread flour
• Salt
• Honey – or granulated sugar
• Egg – one beaten egg for brushing

How to soak raisins

Plump up the raisins by soaking them in boiling water for about 10-15 minutes, then drain and towel dry them. This way the raisins won’t take moisture from the dough when baking, which will cause a dry not very enjoyable result.

Why use active dry yeast?

Since the dough has to rise in the fridge for approximately 12 hours it’s best to use active dry yeast and not instant yeast.

What temperature is lukewarm?

Lukewarm is considered between 105-110F (40-43C). Be aware that the yeast will die at a temperature over 140F (60C).

How to make Homemade Bagels

In a small bowl mix together the cinnamon, vanilla and the soaked and drained raisins. In a small bowl mix together water and yeast let sit until foamy.

In the mixing bowl of a stand up mixer add the flour, salt, honey, then add the yeast mixture and the cinnamon mixture, mix at the speed #1 with the dough hook attachment, when the dough starts to come together increase the speed #2, continue kneading until the dough is smooth and elastic.Remove the dough to a lightly floured flat surface.

Divide the dough into 7 portions. Roll each portion into a ball, cover and let rest. Form each of the balls into a rope then shape into a circle, joining the ends.

Dust a large baking sheet lightly with flour, place the rings on the sheet, cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. Remove the dough from the fridge and let sit. 

Boil the bagels in the boiling water, remove them and drain on a wire rack. Place the boiled bagels again on a baking sheet, brush with the beaten egg and bake for approximately until golden. Move to a wire rack to cool completely.

I must admit I did a lot of research on what produces the best bakery bagel, some bagels can be made same day, some aren’t boiled and some insist on using barley malt syrup.

Needless to say I wouldn’t know where to start looking for that in Italy, but I did discover that the perfect substitute is honey. No problem with finding that.

Why Boil the Bagels?

They are boiled because it helps give bagels that shiny golden crust which they are famous for and also helps them hold their shape while baking. So needless to say boiling is a very important step in making them perfect.

What I loved the most about making these bagels is most of the work was done by my stand up mixer. And I must admit, the amazing smell of  cinnamon, don’t you just love it?

How to substitute fresh yeast for dry yeast

To substitute with fresh yeast you need double the amount. In other words, 1 teaspoon of active dry yeast is 3 grams therefore you would need 6 grams of fresh.

How to store them

Baked and cooled bagels should be stored at room temperature in an airtight bag. They will last up to 4-5 days but are better if eaten within two days, as they can get stale and dry out.

How to freeze them

There are 2 ways to freeze them, when they are baked and completely cool, place in a freezer safe bag and put in the freezer, they will last up to three months in the freezer.

Or you can freeze them after they have risen in the fridge, but before they are boiled. Freeze them on a cookie sheet until firm then move to a freezer safe bag or container. When ready to make, let them thaw or almost completely thawed, boil and bake.

One of my favourites. These Homemade Cinnamon Raisin Bagels were enjoyed by all,  the Italian was quite impressed, better than a bakery! Enjoy! With peanut butter or without.

Updated from July 6, 2015.