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You can make chocolate bagels right in your own kitchen with a handful of ingredients and a little patience.
Making chocolate bagels is a fun twist on the classic chewy bread we all love, and the process is totally doable for home bakers.
In this post, we’ll walk through exactly how to make chocolate bagels from scratch, including the dough, the shaping, the boil, and the bake.
You’ll also get tips for making chocolate bagels extra rich, plus a few variations you can try at home.
Let’s dive into this delicious baking adventure together.
Why You Should Try Making Chocolate Bagels
Making chocolate bagels is easier than you think, and the payoff is huge when you bite into a warm, cocoa-scented ring.
These bagels are perfect for breakfast, dessert, or a snack because they’re sweet but not too sugary.
When you make chocolate bagels from scratch, you control the amount of cocoa and sweetness to fit your taste.
Plus, the satisfaction of pulling a tray of golden, glossy chocolate bagels out of your oven is unbeatable.
And because they’re boiled before baking, they get that signature chewy texture that makes bagels so special.
The Difference Between Chocolate Bagels and Regular Bagels
The main difference when you make chocolate bagels is the addition of cocoa powder and often chocolate chips or chunks.
Cocoa powder adds a deep, dark color and a rich chocolate flavor that stands up to the chewy bagel base.
You’ll also want to add a bit more sugar than a plain bagel dough to balance the bitterness of cocoa.
The texture remains chewy and dense, just like a classic bagel, but with a dessert-like twist.
This makes chocolate bagels a great choice for anyone who loves chocolate bread or sweet breakfast pastries.
Key Ingredients for Perfect Chocolate Bagels
Before you start making chocolate bagels, gather your ingredients to make sure everything goes smoothly.
You’ll need bread flour for that chewy structure, which is essential for any good bagel.
Unsweetened cocoa powder is the star ingredient that gives your chocolate bagels their deep flavor.
Granulated sugar adds sweetness, and active dry yeast helps the dough rise properly.
Warm water activates the yeast, and salt balances the overall taste.
You can also fold in semi-sweet chocolate chips or chunks for extra pockets of melty chocolate.
And for boiling, a little honey or barley malt syrup in the water gives the bagels a shiny, slightly sweet crust.
Step-by-Step Guide on How to Make Chocolate Bagels
Now let’s get into the actual process of making chocolate bagels from start to finish.
Making chocolate bagels takes about two hours total, including rising time, but most of it is hands-off.
The steps are simple, and you’ll feel like a pro once you see your bagels puff up in the boiling water.
1. Mix and Knead the Chocolate Bagel Dough
In a large mixing bowl, combine 4 cups of bread flour, 1/2 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder, 1/4 cup of sugar, and 1 teaspoon of salt.
In a separate small bowl, dissolve 2 and 1/4 teaspoons of active dry yeast in 1 and 1/2 cups of warm water (about 110°F).
Let the yeast sit for five minutes until it’s foamy, which means it’s alive and ready.
Pour the yeast mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until a shaggy dough forms.
Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic.
If the dough is too dry, add a tablespoon of warm water at a time.
If it’s too sticky, sprinkle a little more flour.
When you’re kneading chocolate bagels, you want the dough to be firm but slightly tacky.
Knead in 1 cup of chocolate chips at the end, just until they’re distributed evenly.
2. Let the Dough Rise
Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl and turn it to coat all sides.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel.
Let it rise in a warm, draft-free spot for about 1 to 1.5 hours, or until it doubles in size.
While you wait, line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly grease it.
A warm oven (turned off) with the light on is a great place for rising your chocolate bagels dough.
3. Shape the Bagels
Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air.
Turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and divide it into 8 equal pieces.
Roll each piece into a smooth ball, then poke a hole through the center with your thumb.
Gently stretch the hole to make it wider, about 1.5 inches across.
Place each shaped chocolate bagel on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between them.
Cover them with a towel and let them rest for 10 to 15 minutes. This short rest helps the dough relax.
4. Boil the Bagels
While the bagels rest, bring a large pot of water to a boil.
Add 2 tablespoons of honey or barley malt syrup to the water, which gives the crust its sheen.
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) at the same time.
Once the water is boiling, reduce it to a gentle simmer.
Carefully drop one or two chocolate bagels into the water, making sure they don’t touch.
Boil each side for about 1 minute per side, flipping once with a slotted spoon.
Boiling chocolate bagels longer makes them chewier, so you can go up to 2 minutes per side if you like.
Remove them with the slotted spoon and return them to the baking sheet.
5. Bake the Chocolate Bagels
Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes.
Your chocolate bagels are done when they’re deep brown, feel firm to the touch, and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
For an extra glossy finish, you can brush the bagels with an egg wash just before baking.
Let them cool on a wire rack for at least 10 minutes before slicing.
Fresh chocolate bagels are best eaten warm, but they also store well for a few days.
Tips for Making the Best Chocolate Bagels
If you want your chocolate bagels to come out perfect every time, keep these handy tips in mind.
1. Use Bread Flour for the Right Texture
Bread flour has more protein than all-purpose flour, which creates more gluten and gives bagels their chew.
When you make chocolate bagels with bread flour, you’ll get that authentic bagel bite.
If you only have all-purpose flour, you can use it, but your bagels will be slightly softer.
2. Don’t Skip the Boiling Step
Boiling is what sets bagels apart from regular bread rolls.
The boiling process sets the crust before baking, preventing the bagels from expanding too much.
This gives chocolate bagels their dense, chewy interior and shiny exterior.
So even though it’s an extra step, it’s totally worth it.
3. Add Toppings or Mix-Ins
Chocolate bagels are delicious plain, but feel free to get creative.
You can top them with coarse sugar or flaky sea salt after boiling for a sweet-salty contrast.
Mix in white chocolate chips or chopped nuts for extra texture.
A sprinkle of cinnamon in the dough also pairs beautifully with chocolate.
So, How Do You Make Chocolate Bagels?
Making chocolate bagels is a straightforward process that any home baker can master with a little practice.
Making chocolate bagels involves mixing a cocoa-rich dough, letting it rise, shaping rings, boiling them briefly, and baking until golden.
The result is a chewy, chocolatey treat that’s perfect for breakfast, dessert, or a midday snack.
So gather your ingredients, clear your counter, and enjoy the process of making chocolate bagels from scratch.
You’ll be glad you did when you pull those beautiful, glossy rings out of the oven and take your first bite.