If you have a soft spot for warm, sweet, and slightly chewy treats, then this Cinnamon Sugar Bagels Recipe is about to become your new favorite morning ritual. These bagels bring together the classic doughy charm of a traditional bagel with the irresistible aroma and flavor of cinnamon sugar, creating a breakfast experience that’s both comforting and a little bit special. Whether you enjoy them fresh out of the oven or toasted with a smear of cream cheese, these bagels deliver a wonderful balance of sweet and spice that’s perfect anytime you need a cozy pick-me-up.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For this Cinnamon Sugar Bagels Recipe, you only need a handful of simple ingredients that work together beautifully to give you irresistible flavor and texture. Each item plays a key role from encouraging the dough to rise just right, to adding that perfect sweet, cinnamony touch on top.
- Very warm water (1 1/2 cups): Think hot bathwater temperature to activate the yeast perfectly.
- Active dry yeast (2 packets): The magic behind the rise, bringing lightness and texture to your bagels.
- Brown sugar (3 tablespoons): Adds gentle sweetness and enriches dough color.
- Salt (1 teaspoon): Balances flavors, enhancing the sweetness and bringing out the dough’s character.
- Bread flour (3 1/2 – 4 cups): Gives the bagels their signature chewy, dense texture.
- Honey (2 tablespoons): Sweetens the boiling water for a glossy finish and subtle flavor boost.
- Egg (1): Acts as a wash to help the cinnamon sugar topping stick and brown nicely.
- Granulated sugar (2 tablespoons): Combined with cinnamon for that classic sweet topping.
- Cinnamon (1 teaspoon): The star spice that infuses warmth and depth into every bite.
- Water for boiling: Essential for the bagel’s unique chewy crust through poaching.
How to Make Cinnamon Sugar Bagels Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
Start by heating your water in the microwave until it is very warm—close to bathwater temperature. Stir in the active dry yeast and brown sugar, then set the mixture aside for about 5 minutes until it becomes frothy and alive with bubbles. This frothing is your friendly sign that the yeast is ready to work its magic.
Step 2: Mix the Dough
In a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine 3 1/2 cups of bread flour and the salt. With the mixer running on low, slowly pour the yeast mixture into the flour. Allow the dough to come together and then mix for about a minute more. If the dough feels sticky or loose, sprinkle in up to another 1/2 cup of flour, little by little, until the texture feels elastic but not dry.
Step 3: Let the Dough Rise
Transfer your dough to a greased bowl and cover it with plastic wrap. Find a warm spot and let it rise undisturbed for about an hour or until it has doubled in size. This is when the yeast fully develops the light, airy texture we adore in bagels.
Step 4: Shape the Bagels
Once risen, tip the dough onto a floured surface and divide it into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece gently into a smooth ball. Let them rest for 5 minutes to relax the gluten, making the next step easier.
Step 5: Boil the Bagels
Bring a large pot of water to a boil and stir in the honey for a glossy, subtly sweet finish. For each dough ball, use two fingers to poke a hole through the center and gently stretch it, forming the classic bagel shape. Boil each bagel for about 45 seconds, flipping halfway through. Once boiled, transfer them to lined cookie sheets to prepare for the next step.
Step 6: Add Toppings and Bake
Brush the tops of your bagels with the beaten egg – this helps the cinnamon sugar stick and gives a beautiful golden shine. Then sprinkle evenly with a mixture of granulated sugar and cinnamon. Bake the bagels in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for 15 to 20 minutes until they turn golden brown and smell absolutely heavenly.
How to Serve Cinnamon Sugar Bagels Recipe
Garnishes
These bagels shine all on their own, but a generous spread of cream cheese—plain or flavored—can elevate the experience significantly. For a bit of freshness, try topping with thin slices of fresh fruit like strawberries or a drizzle of honey for an extra sweet touch. Nuts like crushed walnuts or pecans also make wonderful crunchy garnishes if you want to mix textures.
Side Dishes
The warm, cinnamon-sugar flavor pairs beautifully with a cup of rich coffee or spiced chai tea for a cozy breakfast or brunch. Consider adding fresh fruit or yogurt on the side to balance sweetness with some refreshing tang and creaminess. Even a simple bowl of berries can brighten up the plate and add color.
Creative Ways to Present
Try slicing the bagels in half and layering them with mascarpone and sliced apples for a gourmet treat. They also make fantastic mini sandwiches with nut butter and banana slices, or even a breakfast bagel with eggs and bacon for the savory fans who like a play on sweet and salty. Presenting them stacked in a basket lined with a crisp kitchen towel adds a charming, homestyle touch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any bagels left after your feast, store them in an airtight container or bag at room temperature to keep them soft. Ideally, enjoy within two days for the best texture and flavor. Avoid leaving them out uncovered as they can dry out quickly.
Freezing
To keep these delightful treats longer, place cooled bagels in a freezer-safe bag and freeze for up to one month. Freezing preserves their freshness and allows you to enjoy the Cinnamon Sugar Bagels Recipe anytime, even on a busy morning.
Reheating
For a quick refresh, slice frozen bagels and toast them directly from the freezer. You can also microwave them briefly to soften before toasting if desired. This will bring back that fresh-baked warmth and melt any cream cheese or toppings you add afterward.
FAQs
Can I use all-purpose flour instead of bread flour?
Yes, you can substitute all-purpose flour, but the texture will be slightly less chewy and dense compared to using bread flour, which has a higher protein content perfect for bagels.
What if my dough is too sticky or too dry?
If your dough is sticky, add flour gradually until it feels manageable but still soft. If too dry, add a teaspoon of warm water at a time until it forms a smooth ball. Dough consistency is key to shaping perfect bagels.
Why do bagels need to be boiled before baking?
Boiling sets the crust quickly and helps develop the dense, chewy interior that defines a bagel. It also contributes to that shiny, golden exterior after baking.
How can I make my cinnamon sugar topping extra crunchy?
Mix a little coarse sugar or turbinado sugar with your cinnamon sugar for added crunch and an appealing, sparkling finish on top of your bagels.
Can this Cinnamon Sugar Bagels Recipe be made vegan?
You can make it vegan by substituting honey with maple syrup and replacing the egg wash with plant-based milk or a mixture of water and maple syrup to help the topping stick and brown.
Final Thoughts
This Cinnamon Sugar Bagels Recipe is a delightful way to bring warmth, sweetness, and a little fun into your kitchen. Every step, from frothing the yeast to that final golden bake, results in bagels that feel both homemade and just a bit special. I encourage you to give it a try—there’s something magical about biting into a warm bagel lightly coated with cinnamon sugar. Trust me, once you taste these, you’ll want to make them again and again!
Print
Cinnamon Sugar Bagels Recipe
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 12 bagels 1x
Description
These homemade Cinnamon Sugar Bagels are soft, chewy, and coated in a sweet cinnamon sugar topping. Perfect for breakfast or a snack, they are boiled to achieve the classic bagel texture and baked to golden perfection. This recipe yields 12 delicious bagels that are great served warm with cream cheese or toasted.
Ingredients
Dough
- 1 1/2 cups very warm water (about hot bathwater temperature)
- 2 packets active dry yeast (about 4 1/2 teaspoons)
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 1/2 – 4 cups bread flour
Boiling Water
- Water for boiling
- 2 tablespoons honey
Topping
- 1 egg (beaten, for brushing)
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: Heat 1 1/2 cups of water in the microwave for 45-60 seconds until it is very warm. Stir in the active dry yeast and brown sugar, then let the mixture sit for 5 minutes until it becomes frothy, indicating the yeast is activated.
- Mix the Dough: In a stand mixer bowl, combine 3 1/2 cups bread flour and salt. Slowly pour the yeast mixture into the flour while mixing. Continue mixing until a dough forms, then mix for an additional minute to develop gluten. If the dough feels too sticky, gradually add up to 1/2 cup more flour until it reaches a manageable consistency.
- Let the Dough Rise: Transfer the dough to a greased bowl and cover it with plastic wrap. Allow it to rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, approximately one hour.
- Shape the Bagels: Once risen, turn the dough onto a floured surface. Divide the dough into 12 equal portions and roll each into a ball. Let the dough balls rest for 5 minutes to relax the gluten, making shaping easier.
- Boil the Bagels: Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add 2 tablespoons of honey to the water. Using two fingers, poke a hole through the center of each dough ball to form the classic bagel shape. Carefully lower the bagels into the boiling water and boil for about 45 seconds, flipping them once halfway through. Remove the bagels and place them on prepared cookie sheets.
- Add Toppings: Brush the tops of each bagel with beaten egg. Mix the granulated sugar and cinnamon together, then generously sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture over the wet tops of the bagels.
- Bake the Bagels: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the bagels for 15-20 minutes, or until they turn golden brown on top.
- Serve and Store: Enjoy the bagels warm, cold, or toasted with cream cheese. Store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days or freeze for up to one month for later enjoyment.
Notes
- Ensure water for activating yeast is warm but not hot to avoid killing the yeast.
- Boiling bagels before baking is key to achieving their classic chewy texture.
- Resting the dough balls before boiling helps maintain shape and texture.
- You can substitute bread flour with all-purpose flour, but bread flour gives a chewier texture.
- Store bagels in an airtight container to keep freshness, or freeze for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
