Description
These Maple French Toast Bagels are a delightful homemade treat that taste like French toast, featuring warm cinnamon chips and a delectable hint of maple. Soft and chewy with a sweet cinnamon flavor, they are perfect for breakfast or a special snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Yeast Mixture
- 2 cups warm water (105°F – 113°F)
- 1 1/2 tbsp dry active yeast
- 1 tbsp brown sugar (divided)
Dough
- 1/4 cup brown sugar (packed, divided)
- 1 tsp maple flavoring
- 4 1/2 – 5 cups bread flour
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 cups cinnamon chips*
Egg Wash
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp milk
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: In a small bowl, combine the warm water, dry active yeast, and 1 tablespoon brown sugar. Stir and let sit until it becomes foamy and bubbly, indicating the yeast is activated.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl or stand mixer bowl, mix together 4 1/2 cups bread flour, 1/4 cup brown sugar, salt, and cinnamon chips evenly.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Add the activated yeast mixture and maple flavoring to the dry ingredients. If the yeast isn’t foamy, discard and retry with new yeast and proper water temperature.
- Knead the Dough: Using a stand mixer with a dough hook, knead for 10 minutes, adding up to 1/2 cup extra flour if needed to keep dough soft and workable. If kneading by hand, combine until a shaggy dough forms, then knead on a clean surface for 10 minutes, adding flour as necessary.
- Rest Dough: Let the kneaded dough rest for 5 minutes, allowing gluten to relax.
- Divide and Shape: Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces using a knife or bench scraper. Shape each piece into a tight ball, then create a hole by pressing and rotating your thumb to form classic bagel shapes. Place on a parchment or silicone-lined baking sheet.
- Proof Bagels: Cover the baking sheet with plastic wrap and let the bagels rise for 20 minutes at room temperature.
- Preheat Oven and Boil Water: Preheat the oven to 425°F (218°C). Meanwhile, bring about 4 inches of water to a rolling boil in a large pot.
- Make Egg Wash: Whisk together the egg, milk, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract in a small bowl and set aside.
- Boil Bagels: Carefully drop bagels into the boiling water in batches. Boil each side for 1 minute (1 minute per side), then remove with a slotted spoon and place back on the baking sheet.
- Brush with Egg Wash: Brush each boiled bagel generously with the prepared egg wash to achieve a golden, shiny crust.
- Bake Bagels: Bake in the preheated oven for 15-17 minutes or until the bagels are golden brown and cooked through.
- Cool and Serve: Let bagels cool for 10 minutes before slicing. Serve warm and enjoy the delicious maple French toast flavor!
- Storage: Store leftover bagels in a zip-top bag at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.
Notes
- The Hershey’s brand cinnamon chips are not recommended as they melt and discolor the dough. Orson Gygi cinnamon chips provide better flavor and texture.
- Ensure the water temperature is between 105°F and 113°F when activating yeast for best results.
- Adding extra flour during kneading will help achieve a soft but not sticky dough consistency.
- Boiling bagels before baking is crucial for authentic texture and crust development.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 13 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: maple french toast bagels, homemade bagels, cinnamon chips bagels, maple flavored bagels, breakfast bagels
