That’s often the way, isn’t it? Homemade food, gifts, products, and DIY projects are usually so much better than anything you can buy. I branched out today and made something that I have bought in the past, though they don’t often find their way into the grocery cart. I’m talking bagels. Cinnamon raisin bagels to be exact. Freaking awesome bagels with the recipe courtesy of Smitten Kitchen. She made these with Pioneer Woman and she loved them so there you go.

These are a bit of a process to make but I think they’re well worth it. Regular readers here know that it’s just a small family in the rainberryblue household (a family of two) so opting to make 20 smaller ones worked out well for us. I was actually aiming for 24 and figured my weight of each dough piece accordingly but somehow I ended up four short. Not sure how that happened. I baked 12 and froze the rest straight from the fridge; I’ll defrost them in the fridge and then proceed to boil and bake as usual. It also seems to be a forgiving recipe. I left my yeast "sponge" on the counter for at least 5 hours or more as opposed to the two called for in the recipe and it turned out fine. I also added gluten to the flour. I shaped them by rolling them into a rope and wrapping it around my hand and three of my fingers (like this) and then rolling the join on the counter.

I’ve eaten four of these myself already, just as they are. Not toasted, not buttered, not cream cheese’d. B had one toasted and buttered and it was equally good. I used half whole wheat flour and half white and they’re perfect. Next time I may up the whole wheat to 75%.