A Vibrant Fad You Must Try: Rainbow Bagels with Cream Cheese!
The rainbow bagel is one of the most visually arresting and Instagram-worthy food trends. The rainbow bagel with cream cheese is a delicacy that appeals to foodies all over the world because it is as visually appealing as it is tasty. However, this trend is more than just a nice picture, despite its audacious aspect. This blog post will discuss the origins of these vibrant bagels, their manufacturing process, and how to make your own at home for a very striking breakfast or snack.
The Rainbow Bagel’s Origin
When a neighborhood bakery, The Bagel Store in Brooklyn, first served the psychedelic-colored bagel in 2002, the rainbow bagel made its debut in New York City. In order to give the traditional New York bagel a fresh twist, its designer, Scot Rossillo, created a creation that resembled a rainbow-colored party or something out of a dream.
In addition to its striking hues, the rainbow bagel’s sweet, somewhat cake-like feel was what really set it apart. The rainbow bagel has a somewhat softer, more bread-like consistency with a hint of sweetness, in contrast to the chewy, dense bagels we’re used to. Its striking sights and surprising textures are what immediately made it a social media sensation.
Furthermore, although the rainbow bagel trend began in New York, it swiftly expanded throughout the world. These days, it can be found in bakeries and cafes from London to Los Angeles, and inventive variants are appearing everywhere.
Here’s a recipe card for Rainbow Bagels with Cream Cheese in a table format:
| Recipe Component | Ingredients | Instructions |
|---|---|---|
| Bagel Dough | – 4 cups all-purpose flour- 1 tsp salt- 1 tbsp sugar- 1 tbsp instant yeast- 1 1/4 cups warm water (110°F/45°C)- 2 tbsp vegetable oil | 1. In a bowl, combine flour, salt, sugar, and yeast.2. Gradually add warm water and knead into dough.3. Knead for 8-10 minutes (or 5 minutes with a stand mixer) until smooth.4. Cover and let the dough rise for 1 hour, or until doubled in size. |
| Food Coloring | – Gel food coloring in various colors (e.g., red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple) | 1. After the dough has risen, divide it into 5-6 portions.2. Dye each portion a different color using gel food coloring. |
| Boiling Water | – 2 tbsp sugar- 8 cups water | 1. Bring water and sugar to a boil in a large pot.2. Reduce heat to a simmer. |
| Baking | – Parchment paper (for baking sheet) | 1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).2. Boil bagels for 1-2 minutes on each side.3. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.4. Let cool on a wire rack. |
| Cream Cheese Topping | – 8 oz cream cheese (plain or flavored)- Optional: sprinkles, edible glitter, or other toppings | 1. Spread a generous amount of cream cheese on each bagel.2. Add toppings like sprinkles or edible glitter for extra fun! |
Additional Notes:
- Storage: Keep bagels in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days or freeze for longer storage.
- Variations: Customize the bagels with savory fillings (e.g., smoked salmon, avocado) or sweet toppings (e.g., Nutella, fruit jam).
Rainbow Bagels: How Are They Made?
The basic ingredients of a rainbow bagel are flour, water, yeast, salt, and occasionally a small amount of sugar, along with food coloring. The magic occurs when the dough is separated into multiple sections and dyed a different hue during the preparation phase. The swirling rainbow effect is produced by rolling and twisting the dough parts together after the colors have been combined. The dough is molded into bagels, which are then baked to perfection after a quick boil.
Ingredients:
Salt, sugar, yeast, water, and all-purpose flour
Food coloring (for bright results, gel food coloring works best)
Cream cheese (as a garnish)
Detailed Instructions for Making Rainbow Bagels at Home
Although creating rainbow bagels at home may seem like a daunting undertaking, it’s actually a creative, enjoyable, and surprisingly simple hobby. Here is a straightforward, step-by-step tutorial on making your own vibrant bagels:
1. Get the dough ready
Make your basic bagel dough first. Mix the flour, yeast, sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Add the warm water gradually and knead the dough until it’s smooth. This will require 5 minutes in a stand mixer or 8–10 minutes of hand kneading.
Split the Dough .
Depending on how many colors you want, divide the dough into 5–6 equal sections when it’s ready. Each part can be dyed with food coloring. Gel food coloring is a smart choice because it adds rich, vivid colors to the dough without using excessive amounts of liquid.
3. Bagels should be shaped.
Each chunk of colored dough should be rolled into a long rope. Next, create a vibrant swirl by twisting the dough ropes together. Pinch the ends of the dough together to create a circle after you’ve twisted it into a spiral.
4. Bring the Bagels to a boil
Add a tablespoon of sugar to a big pot of boiling water. The bagels should be boiled for one to two minutes on each side. To achieve the distinctive chewy bagel texture, this step is crucial.
The fifth step is to bake the bagels.
Put parchment paper on a baking pan and preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the bagels until golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes. Once finished, place them on a wire rack to cool.
6. Finish of Cream Cheese
Make your cream cheese while the bagels are cooling. A substantial amount of flavored cream cheese is frequently placed on top of traditional rainbow bagels. In order to create a bright contrast with the bagel itself, several bakers combine normal cream cheese with colorful toppings like sprinkles or even edible glitter. You can try with different varieties like strawberry, blueberry, or even funfetti cream cheese, or stick with the traditional plain cream cheese!
7. Enjoy and Serve!
After baking and cooling, cut your rainbow bagels open and put your cream cheese on them liberally. The contrast between the bagel’s vivid colors and the cheese’s creamy texture is lovely and delectable.
Rainbow Bagel: Why?
In addition to being visually appealing, rainbow bagels also symbolize the expanding trend of eating as an art form and an experience. The rainbow bagel is a perfect illustration of how social media and Instagram have transformed food into a kind of entertainment. Food is meant to be shared, appreciated, and experienced with all of the senses—it is not only meant to be consumed. A snack that provides a visual feast and is therefore appealing to the camera lens is the rainbow bagel.
Additionally, the rainbow bagel can be a quirky and enjoyable treat for any occasion, including Pride Month and birthday celebrations. Their vivid hues inspire happiness, imagination, and amusement. Rainbow bagels are the ideal option for those wishing to add a little magic to a brunch spread or brighten their mornings.
Rainbow Bagel Adaptations
After mastering the fundamental rainbow bagel, you may enjoy trying out various fillings and toppings. Among the concepts are:
Delicious toppings such as fruit jam, peanut butter, or Nutella.
Savoury fillings such as scrambled eggs, avocado, or smoked salmon.
Creative cream cheese flavors like lemon, garlic herb, or cinnamon-sugar.
You can make your rainbow bagel even more exciting and distinctive by adding toppings like colorful sprinkles or edible glitter for an added twist!
Conclusion: It’s Worth Trying This Trend
Although it began as a culinary novelty, the rainbow bagel with cream cheese has turned out to be much more than that. It’s a way to elevate even a basic bagel breakfast and serves as a reminder that food can be both aesthetically pleasing and delectable. Rainbow bagels are a colorful and enjoyable way to make your day, whether you make them at yourself or get them from a nearby bakery. So why not make your own rainbow bagels today and explore the world of colorful carbohydrates? The outcome will undoubtedly be as delicious as it is colorful!
Bonus Advice: Don’t be scared to try different color combinations while creating rainbow bagels at home! You may create tie-dye effects, rainbow swirls, or even dramatic patterns by layering different colors. There are countless options!
