Ingredients
Roasted Apple Cream Cheese Filling
- 2 apples, peeled and chopped into 1″ chunks (425 grams)
- ¼ cup plus 1 tablespoon brown sugar (62 grams)
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon butter, cut into small pieces (14 grams)
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Bagel Bites Dough
- 2 teaspoons active dry yeast (6 grams)
- 1 ¼ cup plus 1 tablespoon warm water
- 1 tablespoon honey (21 grams)
- 3 ½ cups bread flour (518 grams)
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (25 grams)
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Remaining Ingredients
- 2 quarts water
- 2 tablespoons honey (42 grams)
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (25 grams)
- 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon
- Egg wash (1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water)
Instructions
- Preheat and roast apples: Preheat your oven to 400°F (205°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Toss the chopped apples with 1 tablespoon brown sugar and cinnamon. Spread them on the prepared sheet and scatter butter pieces on top. Roast for 15 minutes, stirring halfway through, then remove and allow to cool.
- Prepare cream cheese filling: Reduce oven temperature to 325°F (165°C). Beat the cream cheese with the remaining ¼ cup brown sugar and vanilla extract until smooth. Fold in the cooled roasted apples thoroughly. Scoop into 1 heaping tablespoon portions (about 20) and place on a lined baking sheet. Chill in the freezer until ready to use.
- Activate yeast: In a mixing bowl, combine active dry yeast with warm water and 1 tablespoon honey, stirring gently. Let it sit 5 minutes until the mixture is foamy, indicating activation.
- Make the dough: To the yeast mixture, add bread flour, granulated sugar, salt, and cinnamon. Using a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, knead for 7-8 minutes until the dough becomes smooth and elastic. Transfer dough to a clean bowl, cover, and let rest for 45 minutes to rise.
- Shape bagel bites: Punch down the risen dough and divide it into 20 equal portions. Roll each into a ball and flatten them into 4-inch circles. Place a cream cheese filling ball in the center, then gather the edges to seal the filling inside. Gently roll to shape each into a smooth circle and place on a lined baking sheet. Cover loosely with a kitchen towel and let rest for 20 minutes.
- Prepare water bath: Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and spray with cooking spray. In a large pot, bring 2 quarts of water and 2 tablespoons honey to a boil over high heat.
- Boil bagel bites: Gently add a few bagel bites to boiling water and let them boil for 15-20 seconds (likely a typo in the recipe stating minutes; bagels are typically boiled seconds). Remove with a slotted spoon and transfer to prepared baking sheets. Repeat with remaining bagel bites.
- Prepare topping and bake: Mix 2 tablespoons sugar and 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon in a small bowl. Brush each bagel bite with egg wash, then sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture on top. Bake in the preheated oven at 325°F (165°C) for 25-30 minutes until golden brown.
- Cool and serve: Remove the bagel bites from oven and let cool slightly on a wire rack. Serve warm with extra cream cheese if desired for an indulgent breakfast treat.
Notes
- Roasting the apples enhances their natural sweetness and adds depth of flavor to the filling.
- Chilling the cream cheese filling helps maintain its shape during assembly.
- Boiling bagels briefly before baking is key to achieving a chewy texture and shiny crust.
- Adjust cinnamon sugar topping amount to preference for sweetness and spice level.
- These bagel bites are best served warm but can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
