Pumpkin Bagels with Pumpkin Cream Cheese

I realize that the time for pumpkin come and gone on the average baker's calendar, but not for me. Nay, nay, I will drink my pumpkin spice hot chocolate right up until June, thank you, and I will drink it with pride! Since I am pretty much game for trying anything that has pumpkin in it, and I love bagels, pumpkin bagels were particularly appealing to me. If the idea of making bagels scares you, don't let it! It was actually really simple and the result was a delicious, soft, chewy set of bagels with a slight hint of pumpkin, warmed by Autumn spices. Mine turned out to be a wee bit on the dry side, but I think that was a result of boiling and baking too long. However, this was remedied by a good toasting, and also by the application of a delicious pumpkin cream cheese spread.

1/2 C Water, lukewarm, Plus 2 T

3 C White Bread Flour
6 T Brown Sugar
1 tsp Salt

1/2 C Canned Pumpkin
1 1/2 tsp Cinnamon
1/3 T Ground Cloves
1 1/2 tsp Nutmeg
3/4 tsp Allspice
3 1/4 tsp Active Dry Yeast
3 qt Water
1 T Sugar

Insert dough ingredients in bread machine according to manufacturer's instructions. Remove the dough from the machine after the first knead - approximately 20 to 30 minutes. Place dough on a floured surface. Divide into individual parts. Form balls, gently press thumb through center of ball and slowly stretch into bagel shape. 

While bagels rise, bring water and sugar to a rapid boil in a large saucepan. Drop test dough. 

Using a slotted spoon, drop 2-3 bagels into rapidly boiling water. Boil on each side for 1-2 minutes. Remove and cool on rack 1 minute, brush with egg and sprinkle with sesame or poppy seeds, if desired. 

Bake at 400 F on a baking sheet sprinkled with cornmeal, until golden - approximately 15 minutes.

Cream Cheese Spread

4 oz. cream cheese, softened
3 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
1/4 cup canned pumpkin
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. In a small bowl, beat softened cream cheese, sugar, and syrup til creamy.
2. Add pumpkin, spices and vanilla and beat til smooth.

Mahlzeit!

-Coriaunty