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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.

Bagels on a white board with one sliced in half.


 

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.

dough on a board

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.

forming the dough in bagel shapes and 1 rope with remaining dough on the board

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.

bagels on a cookie sheet ready for baking

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?

Bagels on a white plate.

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.

Bagels on a baking sheet.

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.

Bagels on a white board with one sliced in half.

Homemade Cinnamon Raisin Bagels

Rosemary Molloy
Make it Happen – Homemade Cinnamon Raisin Bagels, an easy delicious bagel recipe. The perfect breakfast, snack or anytime food.
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 25 minutes
Chilling / Rising Time 13 hours
Total Time 14 hours 25 minutes
Course Breakfast, Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 7 bagels
Calories 265 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • ¼ cup raisins (plump them up by letting them sit in boiling water for 10-15 minutes, drain and towel dry)
  • 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
  • 1 cup + 2 tablespoons lukewarm water (255 grams total)
  • cups bread flour (or all purpose)
  • teaspoons salt
  • 1 tablespoon honey

EXTRAS

  • 8 cups water
  • ¾ tablespoon honey
  • 1 large egg (beaten)

Instructions
 

  • In a small bowl mix together the cinnamon, vanilla and raisins.
  • In a bowl add the water, sprinkle the yeast on top and let sit for approximately 5 minutes.
  • In the mixing bowl of a stand up mixer add the flour, salt and honey, then add the yeast mixture and cinnamon mixture, mix at lowest speed (#1) with the dough hook attachment, until dough just starts to come together, approximately 3-4 minutes. Increase the speed to medium low (#2) and continue for approximately 8-10 minutes, until the dough is smooth and elastic.
  • Remove the dough to a lightly floured flat surface and divide into 7 portions. Roll each portion into a ball, cover them and let rest for 10 minutes.
  • Form each of the balls into a rope approximately 10 inches (25 cm) long and shape into a circle, join the ends, (the ends should over lap by about 1 inch (2½ cm) (damp the ends with water to stick them together).
  • Dust a large baking sheet lightly with flour, place the dough rings on the sheet, cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate 12-18 hours.
  • Remove the dough from the fridge and let sit for 1 hour at room temperature.
  • Pre-heat oven to 420° degrees (210° celsius).
  • In a large pot add the 8 cups of water and ¾ tablespoon of honey bring to a boil.
  • Add the bagel rings 2 or 3 at a time, boil for 60 seconds, turn over and boil for another 60 seconds.
  • Remove and drain on a wire rack.
  • Place the boiled bagels on a parchment paper lined baking sheet, brush them with a beaten egg and bake for approximately 15-20 minutes or until golden, if bagels are not golden underneath, flip over and bake for another 3-5 minutes. Remove the baked bagels immediately to wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy!

Notes

This recipe can also be made by hand, knead the dough for about 10-12 minutes or until smooth and elastic, then continue with the recipe.
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.
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.
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.

Nutrition

Calories: 265kcal | Carbohydrates: 55g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 516mg | Potassium: 122mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 1mg
Did You Make This Recipe?Please leave a comment below or pin it to your Pinterest account!

Updated from July 6, 2015.

78 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I made these bagels yesterday and finished this morning. Had a couple for breakfast toasted with cream cheese. Really great bagels. I loved your recipe and will make again with cheese and everything spices. I also gave some to a friend. Thanks for the great recipe. Also loved how you rolled out and pinched ends together.

  2. 5 stars
    I am going to make these that why i give 5 strars I think this recipe is easy how ever I do have a question
    Can I use instant yeast?

    1. Hi Deb, thanks, yes you an use instant yeast. Use 3/4 teaspoons of instant dry yeast instead of 1 teaspoon and the rising time will be a little quicker. Let me know how it goes. Take care!

  3. Bummed that the top of the recipe says total time 1 hour and 25 min but fails to include letting it sit overnight in the fridge. So not an hour and 25min…

  4. Do you use baking soda in the water when you boil? I’ve done it this way (with an error in too much equaling a total boil over -hahaha), and it works fine, but I wonder if it’s necessary?

    1. Hi Kellie, haha I have had that boil over also. But adding it actually helps with the chewiness of the bagels and it’s what gives them that shiny golden brown texture. Hope that helps. Take care!

  5. 5 stars
    Very good, but I believe it needs more cinnamon (maybe a tablespoon or 2) and at least 1/2 cup raisins.

    Thank you for the great recipe!!!!

  6. Can I just boil the bagels instead of refrigerating 12-18 hours? Will that change the outcome of the bagels if I don’t do that step?

    1. Hi Sicily, no really have to refrigerate the dough, it needs to have a slow rise and also helps with the taste. Very important not to skip. 🙂

  7. I am about to try your recipe and I am sure it will be delicous, I have only attempted to make my own bagels once before and was surprised how easy it was. I have to admit I have been lax in baking as costco makes it so easy just to grab a big bag of them when I am shopping.

  8. If I wanted to freeze these bagels, could I parbake them, freeze them, and then finish in the oven when I’m ready to eat? If so, how long for the parbake and later bake?

    1. Hi Eliza, I have discovered that the best way to freeze them is after they have been baked and are completely cool, you can then thaw them at room temperature and warm them in the oven. Hope this helps.

  9. 5 stars
    This is the best bagel recipe I have used. I have used the dough recipe without the cinnamon and raisins and made everything bagels and cheddar cheese bagels.

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