Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Pumpkin Bagels

 
Woohoo, I made bagels!!  I actually kind of surprised myself when I made these - one minute I was deciding whether I should fold laundry or mop my kitchen floor, and the next thing I knew I was making pumpkin bagels!   At any point over the past year or so, if you'd asked me the number one item I wanted to attempt, I would without a doubt have said bagels.  And just like so many things that seem intimidating - I don't know what I was so scared of!  I do admit that these are not really "authentic" bagels.  I'll actually even go so far as to call them cheater bagels - no overnight stint in the refrigerator, no sponge, etc.  Which I think is part of what led me to finally make the leap.  From start to finish, these took just a few hours, so I didn't feel like it was a huge undertaking.

Like so many others, I become obsessed with pumpkin during the fall months, and my absolute favorite bagel flavor is pumpkin, so I really wanted to make a pumpkin bagel.  Having never made bagels before, I can't say if they were harder to work with than plain, but I can say that they weren't any more challenging than a loaf of bread or dinner rolls.    The flavor was spot on when comparing to other pumpkin bagles I've had in the past - dare I say better even?


As I added the spices to the dough, I was a little skeptical because it seemed like a LOT, especially cloves and allspice, which are so strongly flavored and usually only used in very small quantities.  But the final product was a perfectly spiced bagel, with a great pumpkin flavor.

I sprinkled a cinnamon-sugar mixture over the tops of half the bagels, and I liked it so much I wish I'd topped them all with it!  I enjoyed these with honey-butter one day, pear-ginger jam one day, and finally almond butter, a sliced pear, and a drizzle of honey.  I would recommend all three, and I would also suggest honey-walnut cream cheese.  mmmm.

I definitely plan to make these bagels again, but next time I'm going to try to go more authentic.  And I'm also super excited to try the many, many flavor variations I have bookmarked over the past few years!


Pumpkin Spice Bagels
adapted from CDKitchen
makes 8 bagels
  • 1/2 cup + 2 Tablespoons warm water (100-110 degrees)
  • 3 1/4 tsp instant yeast
  • 1/4 cup + 2 Tbs brown sugar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup canned pumpkin
  • 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ground cloves
  • 1 1/2 tsp nutmeg
  • 3/4 tsp allspice
  • 3 cups bread flour
To Cook:
  • 3 quarts water
  • 2 Tbs sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 egg, for egg wash
Combine all the ingredients for the dough, through allspice, in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment.  Mix to combine, then add the flour.  Mix on low speed to just combine, and switch to the dough hook.  Knead on medium speed for 12-15 minutes, then turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead a few times.  Turn into a lightly-oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and allow to rise for about an hour. 

Punch down the dough.  Divide into 8 equal parts, and roll into balls.  Use your thumb to form a hole in the center, then stretch smooth the dough to form an even shape.  Place on a baking sheet and continue with the remaining dough.  Cover the baking sheet with a clean kitchen towel, and allow to rise until puffed, about 45 minutes.

In a large saucepan, bring the water and 1 Tablespoon of sugar to boil.  Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.  Sprinkle a baking sheet with cornmeal.  Whisk together 1 egg plus 1 teaspoon of water or milk in a small bowl.

Working a few bagels at a time, boil the bagels 1-2 minutes per side.  Remove from the water and place on a rack to dry for about 1 minute, and repeat with remaining bagels.

Transfer the bagels to the prepared baking sheet, then brush with egg wash.  Sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar if using.

Bake 15 minutes, or until bagels are golden-brown.


26 comments:

Eliana said...

The is the most unique use of canned pumpkin I have yet to see and I love it!!! They look amazing!

Anonymous said...

I've always wanted to try to make bagels and I think your post is the one that's going to push me to do it! My question is: what do you do with the egg wash-when do you apply it? And also when did you put the cinnamon sugar mixture on the bagels? Thanks!

Jenn said...

These are gorgeous!!! I want one!

Josie said...

Anonymous,
Thanks for catching the omission - I've corrected the post. The egg wash is used before baking but after boiling, as is the cinnamon-sugar.
-Josie :-)

Ellen said...

Cool! I have wanted to try bagels too... and pumpkin? yum! I've never had a pumpking bagel before. Great job!

Roxan said...

Josie these bagels are absolute perfection, and pumpkin to boot. I have bagels on my list if things to make, and seeing your ease in making them gives me a nudge in making them myself.

Jen said...

I am just so impressed with these bagels that I am going to try to make them this weekend!!!

Ginny said...

yum! perfect! :)

Natalie said...

I haven't made bagels in over a year and I'd love to try again...especially the pumpkin variation! Thanks for sharing a great recipe!

Ashlee said...

those look amazing! i love how the flavor is in the bagel, not just a plain smeared with pumpkin butter or something.

Anonymous said...

You did a great job!

Ashley said...

These sound like they would be delicious with pumpkin or cinnamon butter.

Kira said...

Bagels are at the top of my "to-make" list too. I love that these are kind of bagels with training wheels.

aurorafedora said...

OMG! these look and sound so good! i love everything pumpkin and also bagels. this is the best of both worlds! thanks for the recipe. joanne

Pretty. Good. Food. said...

These sound delicious and easy. I have yet to give bagels a try. I can't wait to try this recipe! :)

Sara said...

Wow, these look delicious. I just stumbled upon your blog and am surprised to learn you live in Atlanta and enjoy GT sports. I am actually a student at GT. Small world.

Lauren said...

I absolutely love this idea! I can't get enough pumpkin this time of year, and I can't wait to make these bagels :).

Anonymous said...

I want to make these but I don't have a stand mixer. How would the instuctions change if I did it by hand?

Josie said...

Anonymous,
I'd imagine you could mix the dough with a wooden spoon and a good bit of elbow grease, then knead by hand for several minutes. Do a google search for "bagels by hand" or "without mixer" and see if you can find more specific instructions. I don't want to steer you wrong since I've never done it that way! Good luck, and let me know how they turn out!
Josie :-)

Jennifer said...

Ohhhhmy these sound amazing!!! great job!

la petite frog said...

These look delicious! I recently made some bagels of my own, but it wasn't as easy to make as I thought... but yours look so good!

Josie said...

Sara,
Thanks for your comment - my husband and I are both GT alums as well! Hope you enjoy it there (well as much as you can anyway). I really miss being a student sometimes!

the blissful baker said...

oh my goodness, pumpkin bagels! i've never made homemade bagels, but this pumpkin variation is too tempting to resist!

Jenn said...

I have never heard of pumpkin bagels before? Interesting. I am obsessed with pumpkin too, I just found a recipe for pumpkin scones that sounded great then, I came across these bagels. I cannot wait to try these, they look delicious! How many days do they stay fresh for?

Heather @ Side of Sneakers said...

I can't wait to try these! I have to admit, I had no idea how to cook a bagel- but now that you've shared I have to try it :)

eatme_delicious said...

I don't know if I've ever had or seen pumpkin bagels, but I know I would love to try them!! Great job on the bagels, they look perfect!

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