A cinnamon swirl bagel is a popular variant of the traditional bagel that features a swirl of cinnamon within the dough. Bagels are a type of dense, chewy bread product originally from Eastern Europe that are now popular worldwide. The addition of cinnamon to bagels creates a sweet, aromatic treat that goes perfectly with cream cheese spreads.
Cinnamon swirl bagels first appeared in the 1990s at bakeries and cafes in New York City, which is considered the bagel capital of America. The innovation combined the comforting flavors of cinnamon rolls with the hearty satisfaction of New York-style bagels. Cinnamon swirl bagels quickly became a breakfast staple across the United States. Today, they can be found in grocery stores, bakeries, and coffee shops nationwide.
What are the ingredients in cinnamon swirl bagels?
Cinnamon swirl bagels are made from the same basic ingredients as regular bagels, with a few additions for the cinnamon swirl. Here are the main ingredients used to make cinnamon swirl bagels:
Bagel dough ingredients:
- Flour
- Water
- Yeast
- Salt
- Malt syrup or sugar
The dough is typically made from high-gluten or bread flour to give bagels their chewy texture. The dough goes through a process of mixing, kneading, proofing, shaping, and boiling before baking.
Cinnamon swirl ingredients:
- Brown sugar
- Ground cinnamon
- Butter or oil
These ingredients are combined and spread over the dough before rolling it up to create the cinnamon swirl pattern. Raisins or walnuts are also sometimes added to the cinnamon sugar mix for more texture and flavor.
The cinnamon swirl bagel dough is boiled briefly before baking to form the signature shiny, chewy bagel crust. Bagels are baked until golden brown. The result is a bakery-style cinnamon swirl bagel bursting with sweet cinnamon flavor in every bite.
How are cinnamon swirl bagels made?
Making cinnamon swirl bagels requires a multi-step process:
- Prepare the bagel dough using flour, yeast, malt, salt, and water. Knead thoroughly.
- Allow the dough to rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
- While the dough rises, prepare the cinnamon swirl filling by mixing together brown sugar, cinnamon, butter, and optional raisins.
- Divide the risen dough into portions. Roll each portion into a rope shape.
- Spread the filling mixture onto each rope of dough. Roll up tightly to create the swirl.
- Join the ends of each rope together to form bagel rings. Cover and allow to rest for 10 minutes.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Drop bagels into the boiling water for 1 minute on each side.
- Transfer boiled bagels to a baking sheet. Sprinkle with toppings like cinnamon sugar or seeds.
- Bake at 425°F for 15-20 minutes until deeply golden brown.
- Cool completely before slicing and serving.
The key to great cinnamon swirl bagels lies in creating a dough with the perfect texture, shaping the dough well before boiling, and baking until nicely browned. Skilled bakers can hand-roll and shape the bagels, while other bakeries use machines to form the bagel rings.
What varieties of cinnamon swirl bagels are there?
While the original cinnamon swirl remains the most popular, bakers have created many different flavor twists on this concept over the years. Some examples include:
- Raisin cinnamon swirl: Contains plump, sweet raisins in the filling.
- Walnut cinnamon swirl: Features chopped walnuts for crunch.
- Honey cinnamon swirl: The filling is made with honey for extra sweetness.
- Cream cheese cinnamon swirl: Swirled with ribbons of tangy cream cheese.
- Pumpkin cinnamon swirl: Pumpkin puree adds moisture and fall flavor.
- Apple cinnamon swirl: Filling contains diced apples and spice.
- Blueberry cinnamon swirl: Filled with juicy, jammy blueberries.
The basic cinnamon sugar swirl can also be tweaked using different spices like cardamom, nutmeg, ginger, or allspice. The options are endless for creative bakers looking to put a unique twist on this classic breakfast treat.
What are the typical toppings and spreads for cinnamon swirl bagels?
One of the joys of cinnamon swirl bagels is pairing them with delicious spreads, schmears, and toppings that complement the warm cinnamon flavor. Here are some popular ways to dress up a cinnamon swirl bagel:
Spreads
- Cream cheese – Often flavored with vanilla or honey
- Peanut butter – Creamy or crunchy style
- Butter – Salted or unsalted
- Jams and jellies – Strawberry, raspberry, apricot
- Nut butter – Almond butter, cashew butter
- Sweet cheese spreads – Like ricotta or mascarpone
Toppings
- Cinnamon sugar – For an extra boost of flavor
- Chopped nuts – Pecans, walnuts, etc.
- Fresh fruit – Banana slices, berries
- Vanilla glaze – For a sweet touch
- Toasted coconut – For texture
- Chocolate chips or drizzle – For chocolate lovers
The most popular topping is a generous schmear of cream cheese, which complements and balances the sweetness of the cinnamon swirl. The cream cheese is often whipped with sugar and vanilla for extra flavor. On a cold morning, biting into a cinnamon swirl bagel piled high with sweetened cream cheese is pure bliss!
Nutrition Information
Like regular bagels, cinnamon swirl bagels are high in carbohydrates and low in fat. However, they contain more sugar and calories due to the cinnamon swirl. Here is the nutrition breakdown for a typical cinnamon swirl bagel:
Serving size: 1 medium (4 oz) cinnamon swirl bagel
Calories: 330
Fat: 1.5g
Carbohydrates: 67g
Protein: 10g
Fiber: 2g
Sugars: 15g
Cinnamon swirl bagels make a tasty on-the-go breakfast, but the high carb and calorie count means portion control is important. Pairing with protein like eggs or nut butter helps balance out the meal. Those looking to limit sugar may want to enjoy cinnamon swirl bagels as an occasional treat.
Where to find the best cinnamon swirl bagels
The search for the perfect cinnamon swirl bagel has led to heated debate among bagel connoisseurs. While cinnamon swirl bagels have gone mainstream, the quality still comes down to the skills of individual bakeries. Here are some favorites for scoring top-notch cinnamon swirl bagels:
- New York City: Ess-a-Bagel, Absolute Bagels, H&H Bagels
- Montreal: St-Viateur Bagel, Fairmount Bagel
- Los Angeles: Yeastie Boys, Brooklyn Bagel Bakery
- Chicago: New York Bagel and Bialy, BB’s Bagels
- Boston: Kupel’s Bakery, Bagelsaurus
- Washington, D.C.: Call Your Mother Deli, Bullfrog Bagels
When evaluating a cinnamon swirl bagel, look for a ring that is evenly shaped, crunchy on the outside, soft and not too dense within, and loaded with swirly cinnamon filling. A peek at the cross section can reveal if the proportions of dough to filling are right. And of course, taste is key – the cinnamon flavor should sing loud and clear.
How to store cinnamon swirl bagels
Cinnamon swirl bagels are best enjoyed fresh within 1-2 days. But bagels freeze remarkably well for enjoying later. Here are some tips for storing leftover cinnamon swirl bagels:
- Let bagels cool completely before storing to avoid condensation.
- Leave bagels uncovered for the first hour to allow the crust to crisp up.
- For short term storage, keep bagels at room temperature in a bread basket or bag for up to 3 days.
- Refrigeration can extend freshness for 5-7 days. Prevent sogginess by keeping bagels in a paper bag.
- Freeze unused bagels while very fresh. Place in freezer bags with as much air pressed out as possible.
- Frozen bagels will keep for 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature and revive in the oven.
With proper storage methods, you can enjoy cinnamon swirl bagels long after purchasing and have an easy breakfast or snack on hand. The freezer is a cinnamon swirl bagel lover’s best friend!
How to revive stale cinnamon swirl bagels
Bagels that have lost their fresh-baked taste and texture over time can be revived with a few simple tricks:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Place stale bagels on a baking sheet. For a glossy sheen, brush the tops with milk, cream, or beaten egg before baking.
- Bake for 5-10 minutes until warmed through and slightly crispy on the crust.
- If needed, toast or broil for 1-2 minutes to recrisp. Watch closely to avoid burning.
- Let cool slightly before slicing and enjoying. The bagels will taste nearly fresh-baked!
You can also revive cinnamon swirl bagels by:
- Splitting and toasting until crisp
- Making them into bread pudding or French toast
- Cube stale bagels for use in stratas, casseroles, or stuffing
With a quick bake or toast, you can breathe new life into leftover cinnamon swirl bagels. No more waste!
Conclusion
Cinnamon swirl bagels have become a beloved breakfast fixture thanks to their irresistible taste and texture. While new variations continue to emerge, the classic combo of chewy, boiled bagel dough filled with cinnamon sugar remains the gold standard. Part of the enjoyment lies in topping these treats with spreads and additions to suit your tastes. Seek out local bakeries practicing the art of cinnamon swirl bagel making for the best experience of this iconic baked good. With proper storage and revival tricks, you can enjoy cinnamon swirl bagels fresh from the oven or pantry anytime.