Cinnamon Crunch Bagels Recipe

Ingredients:

Dough:

• 4 cups bread flour (or all-purpose flour)

• 1 tbsp sugar

• 2 tsp salt

• 1 tbsp active dry yeast

• 1 1/2 cups warm water (about 110°F)

For Boiling:

• 2 quarts water

• 1/4 cup honey or sugar (optional, for flavor and color)

Cinnamon Crunch Topping:

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar

• 1/2 cup brown sugar

• 1 tbsp cinnamon

• 2 tbsp melted butter (for brushing on bagels)

• 1/3 cup flour (optional, for a chunkier texture)

Instructions:

1. Make the Dough:

• In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt, and yeast. Gradually add warm water and mix until a dough forms.

• Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.

• Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a towel, and let it rise in a warm spot for 1 hour or until doubled in size.

2. Shape the Bagels:

• Punch down the dough and divide it into 8-10 equal pieces.

• Roll each piece into a ball. Poke a hole in the center of each ball with your finger, then stretch it into a bagel shape with a hole about 1-2 inches wide.

• Place the shaped bagels on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover and let rest for 10-15 minutes.

3. Boil the Bagels:

• Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).

• In a large pot, bring 2 quarts of water and honey or sugar to a gentle boil.

• Boil each bagel for 1-2 minutes on each side. The longer you boil, the chewier the bagel will be.

• Remove bagels from the water with a slotted spoon and place them back on the baking sheet.

4. Prepare the Cinnamon Crunch Topping:

• In a bowl, mix the granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and flour (if using) until well combined and slightly crumbly.

5. Add the Topping:

• Lightly brush the tops of each boiled bagel with melted butter.

• Generously sprinkle the cinnamon crunch mixture on top of each bagel, pressing it down gently to help it adhere.

6. Bake:

• Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the bagels are golden brown and the topping is crispy. Keep an eye on them, as the sugar can caramelize quickly. If needed, tent with foil to prevent the topping from over-browning before the bagels are fully baked.

7. Cool and Enjoy:

• Let the bagels cool on a wire rack. Enjoy your homemade cinnamon crunch bagels warm or toasted!