October | 2012 | Is this a keeper?

Wow! This one was so much fun!! I have to admit I was a little cautious heading into this recipe…I mean who knows anyone who makes homemade bagels…there must be a reason right! It is a bit of a process, and takes some time, but I tell you these are SO worth it! I am a bagel lover so I have high standards and these were right up there with the best. If you would like the recipe check out Heather’s blog.

I have had some ups and downs with my dough rising lately, no pun intended, so Carmen..fellow blogger…offered the suggestion of letting the yeast rest on the water and wait for it to become creamy, then mix. I was willing to try to see if I can get more consistent results…check out this yeast…this is the way I am doing it from now on…AND…both rises went very well! Yay! Thanks Carmen for the tip! 🙂

Next time I make these I will know that you have a little time between steps..for some reason I felt pressure. I will do more add-ins and change up the flavors. This time I made plain, cinnamon sugar, and jalapeno. Next time will include a chocolate chip for sure!! 🙂

Took a few pictures of the process…it was pretty interesting…making the “purses” wasn’t as hard as I envisioned from reading the recipe.

Into the water bath.

Add the toppings and into the 500 degree oven.

And the finished product…

I used a plain one for an egg sandwich for dinner…it was amazing!

I was as proud of the top as the bottom!!

I think I enjoyed making these more than any recipe we have made so far…for some reason watching them in the water bath and waiting for them to pop up was fun…and the fact they turned out so delicious made the whole process even more enjoyable. My son had two for dinner…one egg sandwich and one with cream cheese. Just made these at the last minute so one else has even had a chance to try them yet, but based on our two reviews, I will be making these again! The tasting crew will get theirs in the morning! 🙂

This one is a keeper!

Well…not a surprise to those who have read this blog before…this one I knew would take an open mind. I think I am learning through this I tend to be a simple eater. 🙂 The pumpkin bread alone sounded great but with all the add-ins, not so much. But being true to the process here I wanted to make it the first time the way it was suppose to go because who knows…I might find I like it right?!… and what about my awesome tasting crew…they seem to be up for anything!! 🙂 If you would like to try baking this bread, visit Rebecca‘s blog and check out the recipe.

This bread takes some planning. I went to bake it and realized it takes two days…it requires an overnight “resting” period. Thank goodness I didn’t wait until the last minute! Other than it taking a while I thought the bread was pretty easy to make.

I did have two observations that I will be curious to see if others found as well.

I thought there was too much mixed into the dough…and not just because I wouldn’t like it haha! It just seemed more like fruit and nuts with some dough rather than dough with some fruit and nuts. 🙂 It was a challenge to get it all mixed and then spread out… and I didn’t even have the full amount since the packaging was a little off and I didn’t want to buy the large bag of each ingredient.
I also had a hard time getting this dough to rise…it was nothing like the wheat loaves. Maybe it was because of the pumpkin, fruit and nuts?

I didn’t have the 3 mini pans so I used two regular ones…maybe that added to the problem. It looks like they are mini anyway 🙂

We are still having a really hot days here so it hardly feels like fall, more like the middle of August!…Even though the air conditioner was on…these made you think of fall…they smelled amazing while they baked! I was actually really proud of myself…yes, I tried a slice; toasted with butter and you know what…it was pretty good. I had used dried cranberries and I do like those. For me, I just wouldn’t go back for seconds but my tasting crew on the other hand thought it was amazing! Makes me wonder about myself…I think I need to expand my horizons ha ha! So apparently my vote does not count on this recipe…everyone said this one is a keeper!! 🙂

I do love a good bagel though, so stayed tuned for the next recipe!! 🙂 That one looks like a challenge but one that is right up my alley!..simple and plain ha ha!