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Strawberry Bagels with Cream Cheese and Strawberry Spread Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 98 reviews

This Strawberry Bagels recipe infuses classic bagels with the natural sweetness and vibrant flavor of fresh strawberries and a hint of beet for color. The bagels are poached in a sweetened water bath before baking to achieve a perfect chewy texture and golden crust. Served with a homemade strawberry cream cheese spread, these bagels make a delightful breakfast or brunch treat bursting with fruity freshness.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough and Poaching Water

  • ⅔ cup warm water
  • 2 tsp dry active yeast
  • 2 tbsp granulated sugar or honey
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ beet, chopped
  • 1 tbsp water (for beet blending)
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar (for beet blending)
  • 8–10 cups water (for poaching)
  • ⅓ cup brown sugar (for poaching)
  • 1 egg (for egg wash)
  • 1 tbsp water (for egg wash)

Strawberry Mixture

  • 1 lb strawberries (fresh or frozen)
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar

Strawberry Cream Cheese Spread

  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • ⅓ cup strawberries, chopped
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tbsp granulated sugar

Instructions

  1. Prepare Strawberry Mixture: Chop the strawberries and combine them in a saucepan with lemon juice and 2 tablespoons of brown sugar. Simmer over low heat until the strawberries soften and release their juices. Mash slightly with a spoon and then set aside to cool completely.
  2. Make Beet Mixture: Blend the chopped beet with 1 tablespoon of water and 2 tablespoons of brown sugar until smooth. This mixture adds natural color and subtle earthiness to the dough.
  3. Activate Yeast: In a mixing bowl, combine the warm water, dry active yeast, and 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar or honey. Let sit for about 5-10 minutes until the mixture becomes bubbly and foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
  4. Mix and Knead Dough: Add the all-purpose flour, salt, prepared strawberry mixture, and beet mixture to the yeast starter. Mix until the dough starts to come together, then knead on a floured surface for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic, adding extra flour if necessary to prevent sticking.
  5. First Rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a damp cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until it has doubled in size.
  6. Shape Bagels and Rest: Punch down the dough and divide it into 8 to 10 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a ball, then poke a hole through the center with your finger to form a bagel shape. Place each shaped bagel on individual parchment paper squares and let them rest for 30 minutes to rise again slightly.
  7. Prepare Poaching Water: Bring 8 to 10 cups of water to a boil in a large pot, then add ⅓ cup of brown sugar and stir until dissolved to create a sweet poaching liquid.
  8. Poach Bagels: Carefully lower each bagel, along with the parchment square, into the boiling water. Poach each side for 1 minute. Remove the bagels using a slotted spoon and place them on a wire rack to drain and cool slightly.
  9. Egg Wash and Bake: Preheat your oven to 415°F (213°C). Whisk together 1 egg and 1 tablespoon of water to make an egg wash. Brush each poached bagel with the egg wash to give them a shiny, golden crust. Bake on a baking sheet for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the bagels are golden brown and cooked through.
  10. Make Strawberry Cream Cheese Spread: In a small bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, chopped strawberries, vanilla extract, and 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar. Mix until smooth and well incorporated. Serve alongside the warm bagels for a delicious fruity spread.

Notes

  • Using the beet mixture adds a beautiful natural pink hue to the bagels, but it can be omitted if unavailable, which will affect the color slightly.
  • Poaching the bagels in sweetened water helps develop a chewy crust and enhances flavor; do not skip this step.
  • For best results, use fresh or fully thawed frozen strawberries in the filling and spread.
  • The dough can be made a day ahead and refrigerated overnight after the first rise to deepen flavor.
  • Adjust sugar quantities in the strawberry mixtures based on the sweetness of your berries and personal preference.
  • If you do not have parchment paper, you can place bagels directly into the water carefully using a slotted spoon.

Keywords: Strawberry bagels, Homemade bagels, Fruity bagels, Breakfast bagels, Cream cheese spread, Sweet bagels

Find it online: https://tastewithamy.com/strawberry-bagels-with-cream-cheese-and-strawberry-spread-recipe/