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    Home » Recipes » Sweets

    Hot Cross Bagels

    Published: Mar 24, 2021 by Ayeh Manfre 16 Comments

    JUMP TO RECIPE

    This Hot Cross Bagels recipe is a healthy spin on an Easter family favourite. They are a mix of a Hot Cross Bun and a Bagel.

    Hot Cross Bagels are my spin on the family favourite treat and its the perfect time to make them with Easter approaching around the corner!

    They are a mix of a Hot Cross Bun and a Bagel, so you get the best of two worlds!  My recipe is also a healthier version which is super easy to make in 30 minutes.

    They taste and smell sooooo much like the real deal, that anyone can make at home!

    The base of the dough actually only requires 2 ingredients and doesn't require any resting time. It's the same recipe as my Protein Bagels, with the addition of sultanas, cinnamon and mixed spices.

    Table of Contents
    • Ingredients to Make Hot Cross Bagels
    • Important Tips
    • More Baking Recipes
    • More Bread Recipes
    • Recipe
    • Comments

    Ingredients to Make Hot Cross Bagels

    • Wholemeal self-raising flour is my preferred flour however plain self-raising can also be used.
    • Greek yoghurt, I’ve used no fat plain greek yoghurt, full fat can be used or plant-based yoghurt to make a vegan version 
    • Sultanas are the classic ingredient but raisins or currant are also similar substitutes
    • Coconut sugar is my preferred healthier sweetener, but any sugar will suffice 
    • Cinnamon brings the most beautiful smell and flavour
    • Mixed spice is a mix of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves and all spice. You can make your own or also buy it premade. It's very similar to gingerbread spice or pumpkin spice.
    • Sea salt is added for extra flavour
    • Plain flour is mixed with water to create a paste and make the signature white cross over the bagels
    • Honey or maple syrup is then brushed over for the sticky sweet glaze

    Important Tips

    • As when making any dough by hand, if the mixture is too wet sprinkle over more flour. If it’s too dry, add more yoghurt. When kneading the dough, the texture will be a little tacky but it shouldn’t be sticking to your fingers or the table.
    • Make sure to leave enough of a hole in the middle as when they are baked and rise, they will expand in the middle.
    • If using plain flour which isn't self raising, you will need to add baking powder to help them rise. As a rule of thumb, 1.5 teaspoon of baking powder is needed for every Cup of flour.
    • To make more bagels, you can easily double or triple the measurements and can also change their sizes if you choose to make them smaller or bigger.
    • Make sure to allow bagels to rest for 10 minutes before slicing in half so they can set in the middle
    • If eating the bagels the next day, its best to heat in a microwave or toaster which will soften the texture as they will harden

    I very rarely eat butter, however, I love smearing over some plant-based butter on warm fresh bagels. They taste so heavenly and I can easily eat the whole batch!

    More Baking Recipes

    • Banana Chocolate Slice
    • Strawberry Muffins
    • 4 Ingredient Cookies
    • Healthy Granola Clusters

    More Bread Recipes

    • No Knead Focaccia
    • Healthy Banana Bread
    • 2 Ingredient Bagels
    • Homemade Italian Pizza

    I love seeing your creations and remakes, so be sure to rate the recipe, comment and share your Hot Cross Bagels photo on Instagram so I can share the love!

    Recipe

    Four Hot Cross Bagels straight out of the oven
    5 from 3 votes

    Hot Cross Bagels

    This Hot Cross Bagels recipe is a healthy spin on an Easter family favourite. They are a mix of a Hot Cross Bun and a Bagel
    Prep Time10 minutes mins
    Cook Time20 minutes mins
    Total Time30 minutes mins
    Course: Sweets
    Cuisine: Vegetarian
    Keyword: easter, family, quick
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 284kcal
    Author: Ayeh Manfre
    Pin Print Rate

    Ingredients

    • 1 ½ cups wholemeal self raising flour (plus some extra)
    • 1 cup Greek yoghurt
    • ¼ cup sultanas
    • 1 tablespoon coconut sugar
    • 1 ½ teaspoon cinnamon
    • 1 teaspoon mixed spice
    • Pinch of sea salt

    Garnish

    • ¼ cup plain flour
    • 4 tablespoon water
    • 2 tablespoon honey or maple syrup

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 190°C/375°F
    • In a large bowl, add the flour, cinnamon, mixed spice, sugar, sultanas and salt. Give it a quick mix so all the ingredients are combined.
    • Add the greek yoghurt and mix together with a spoon.
    • Add a sprinkle of extra flour to your table and move the dough mixture to the table. Knead with your hands for about 5 minutes. If the mixture is too wet, add a sprinkle more flour through this process if needed.
      The texture should be slightly tacky but it shouldn't stick to your fingers.
    • Roll into a ball and cut the dough into 4 even pieces. Roll each piece into a thick rope shape and join ends together to create a bagel shape, similar to a doughnut shape.
    • To make the signature cross, add the plain flour and water into a bowl. Mix together using a whisk. It should be a thick paste consistency. If too dry, add more water, if too wet add a little more flour (the measurements on this don't need to be too exact)
    • Add paste into a piping bag or a plastic ziplock bag. Cut a small hole in the bottom corner and pipe over a cross over the bagels.
    • Place on a baking tray lined with baking paper and bake on the top rack for 20-25 minutes (depending on oven strength). They should be a nice dark brown colour.
    • For the glaze, heat the honey or maple syrup in the microwave so its a runny texture. Brush each bagel with a thin layer of the glaze and let them rest for 10 minutes on a cooling rack.
    • Slice in half, add some butter to serve and enjoy these heavenly treats!

    Video

    Nutrition

    Calories: 284kcal | Carbohydrates: 60g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 3mg | Sodium: 28mg | Potassium: 322mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 10IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 88mg | Iron: 2mg

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Daniela

      March 28, 2021 at 6:09 pm

      5 stars
      Super easy recipe and so yummy! I made some with raisins and some with choc chips and loved them both!

      Reply
      • Ayeh

        April 07, 2021 at 5:16 pm

        Yum the best! I dont know which i like more but i love both hehe x

        Reply
    2. Kamil

      March 30, 2021 at 11:56 am

      Tried these because I love bagels AND hot cross buns and this was the fusion my body didn’t know it needed. The recipe was super simple and Ayeh’s instructions are always so helpful and easy to follow. Before long I had my dough in front of me and soon, the whole kitchen smelled of delicious cinnamon dancing with the sweet burst of raisins. The whole family loved them and with 0 sugar, the whole family could enjoy them too. Not to mention they’re packed with protein from the Greek yoghurt. Great breakfast! I doubled the recipe and it still worked fantastic. Highly recommend Ayeh to anyone regardless of cooking experience. Big fan!

      Reply
      • Kamil

        March 30, 2021 at 11:57 am

        5 stars
        Tried these because I love bagels AND hot cross buns and this was the fusion my body didn’t know it needed. The recipe was super simple and Ayeh’s instructions are always so helpful and easy to follow. Before long I had my dough in front of me and soon, the whole kitchen smelled of delicious cinnamon dancing with the sweet burst of raisins. The whole family loved them and with 0 sugar, the whole family could enjoy them too. Not to mention they’re packed with protein from the Greek yoghurt. Great breakfast! I doubled the recipe and it still worked fantastic. Highly recommend Ayeh to anyone regardless of cooking experience. Big fan!

        Reply
        • Ayeh

          April 07, 2021 at 5:24 pm

          Im so truly happy to hear that Kamil! They are surprisingly so easy and healthy Thank you for the support
          xxxx

          Reply
      • Ayeh

        April 07, 2021 at 5:24 pm

        Im so truly happy to hear that Kamil! They are surprisingly so easy and healthy 🙂 Thank you for the support
        xxxx

        Reply
    3. Maria

      April 02, 2021 at 12:43 pm

      These were super easy to make, worked out really well, and tasted amazing!! I loved them straight out of the oven with some butter and then later toasted with butter too. Yum!

      Reply
      • Ayeh

        April 07, 2021 at 5:36 pm

        Yum my fav so the butter melts! too good xxx

        Reply
    4. Kate

      April 03, 2021 at 9:23 pm

      5 stars
      These were so easy to make and tasted INCREDIBLE! I would highly recommend trying them

      Reply
      • Ayeh

        April 07, 2021 at 5:37 pm

        so happy you liked them Kate !! xx

        Reply
    5. Victoria

      April 04, 2021 at 9:07 pm

      I made this recipe to take to a Vegan friend for Easter - substituted the greek yog for coconut milk (the cream part) and barista blend almond milk (thicker consistency than reg almond milk).
      TURNED OUT GREAT!!!
      Thank you for sharing your easy recipe Ayeh!

      Reply
      • Ayeh

        April 07, 2021 at 5:39 pm

        Yay so happy to hear that! You're most welcome sweety xxx

        Reply
    6. Elle

      April 06, 2021 at 8:16 pm

      Such a simple and effective recipe. Doubled the batch for my large (and hungry) family and they turned out so well! Thank you Ayeh!!

      Reply
      • Ayeh

        April 15, 2021 at 5:35 pm

        So happy to hear that Elle! xxx

        Reply
    7. Maddy

      April 11, 2021 at 3:09 pm

      Loved this recipe! So easy and delish

      Reply
      • Ayeh

        April 15, 2021 at 5:46 pm

        So happy to hear 🙂 xxx

        Reply

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