Jerusalem Bagel Bombs
These combine the best of both bagel worlds; the dough is easy and quick, requires only ingredients you already have in your pantry, and are exploding with as much cream cheese as your heart desires. Toppings and fillings can be manipulated to your liking.
These combine the best of both bagel worlds: a quick and easy dough using ingredients you already have in your pantry and are exploding with as much cream cheese as your heart desires. Toppings and fillings can be manipulated to your liking.
For a very long time I was really intimidated by the process of bagel making – how could something so perfect be made without some special machinery or experienced talent?? The first bagel recipe I tried making was a Jerusalem style bagel which was very approachable and didn’t require boiling. As I gained more confidence I tested a few more recipes that promised me something more like the new york bagel. One of my favorites from those trials was from Alexandra Cooks which was oh, SO good (definitely make it if it is the NY bagel you desire). I then went down a bagel hole, read about the different types, learned how ny and jerusalem styles were different, how the boiling process locked in more chew, and that a special ingredient was necessary for that unique bagel taste. I stumbled upon and totally recommend this hilarious article, which tickled the picky foodie in me, even if I do not agree with the idea that there could ever be too much cream cheese. And as I kept on through this homemade bagel journey, I kept coming back to the Jerusalem bagel.
What is a Jerusalem bagel bomb?
A jerusalem bagel is different than its new york counterpart in a few ways – it is softer, more bread-like in texture, and most importantly for home bakers, a hell of a lot easier. There’s no special ingredients, you need only a 1-2 hour first rise and a tiny rest after shaping, and there is no need to boil. I love it for its simplicity and its ability to produce a delicious baked good with little time and effort.
I got the idea to turn these bagels into ‘bombs’ after visiting this yummy place, although there I could taste that they had been previously frozen (as expected with a customer base as large as theirs). I wanted to try making them fresh – after all, a bagel is best 30 minutes after it has come out of the oven. This article via KAF helped me figure out how to convert the recipe and I used some of the tips I had picked up from other bagel recipes to make these into perfect ‘bombs’.
I made them again, and again. I tried them with a boil and without, with whole wheat flour, ap and bread flour. I tried them with different toppings (including zaatar, yum!), and basically they have made a regular appearance at our brunch table and we are all so glad I finally found my way here.
Notes and tips on making Jerusalem Bagel Bombs
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This recipe is based on Reem Kasis’ Jerusalem bagels from The Palestinian Table. Aside from the obvious change of turning them into ‘bombs’, I made two changes to the dough itself. First in the form of the yeast and how it is activated and second in the flour. Bread flour produces a chewier bagel and has more in common with the NY bagel on which the bomb is based.
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I subbed about 120g of the flour for whole wheat in the trial you see in the first photo and it was quite good although it made it a little less tender, as expected.
Toppings and Fillings for Jerusalem Bagel Bombs
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Feel like adding something to the filling? I tried a feta and cream cheese mix in one of my trials and we liked it a lot. I can also imagine adding garlic powder would be interesting. If you do end up adding flavoring, you’ll have to soften the cream cheese to incorporate the addition, portion it into spoonfuls and then freeze so they are easier to place into your dough.
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Dipping the dough balls into the topping is essential. Sprinkling is obviously an easier way to do this but most of the seeds won’t stick to the topping post-bake and will be wasted.
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My topping is nigella seed heavy. I love, love these seeds and I think they pair wonderfully with this bread and cream cheese. You can’t persuade me to use anything else. You’ll find nigellas at most middle eastern markets and if not, here’s an easy fix. If you don’t want to use them, consider black sesame seeds. Many people also enjoy TJ’s ‘everything’ topping on homemade bagels.
Recipe for Jerusalem Bagel Bombs
Jerusalem Bagel Bombs
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 teaspoons sea salt
- 2 teaspoons instant yeast
- 480 g bread flour about 4 cups
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk warm
- 8 oz cream cheese cold
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup Nigella seeds
- ⅛ cup Sesame seeds
Method
- In a heatproof bowl, microwave the milk until just warm. Add sugar and yeast and let sit for the yeast to dissolve.
- Place all dough dry ingredients in the bottom of a stand mixer fitted with a hook attachment and whisk to combine.
- Add the milk to the flour and knead until dough comes together in a ball, about 5-7 minutes.
- Place dough in a bowl covered in olive oil, turn a few times to cover the dough in oil. Cover with plastic wrap and set in a warm place to rise for about 1-2 hours, until it is doubled in size.
- When your dough is ready, prepare two cookie sheets with parchment paper.
- Divide the dough into 10 pieces and then one by one, shape the dough into circles with your hands and press down the center with your thumbs and place about 1 tablespoon cold cream cheese in each (I use a cookie scoop to portion the cream cheese). Pinch the edges together to close the ball and roll it gently to shape. Place them seam side down onto the prepared baking sheet.
- Once the balls are all made, let them sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes to rest. Prepare the toppings by mixing the seeds in a bowl and whisking the egg with a bit of water to make a wash.
- Preheat oven to 425 F.
- Gently pick up each ball and brush with egg wash. Dip it, face down into your seed mixture and return it to the baking sheet. Gently try to get it back into a ball shape if it got a little deformed in the dipping process.
- Bake for 15 minutes, until edges just turn golden.
Did you make this recipe?
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SO GOOD! And so, so easy. I made it with a toddler at my feet and it took me no time, such satisfaction for the amount of effort. Very fluffy and delicious. Would be so nice for a brunch spread .Will definitely make again!!
Omg, these are gorgeous! I made using Everything Bagel Spice and they are irresistible!
absolutely loved these! the dough has an incredibly soft and springy texture and was a dream to work with. i topped them with sesame seeds because that was what i had on hand, but i will definitely hunt for some nigella to use the next time i make them. i was also feeling adventurous tonight and made them in a cast iron skillet and they still turned out great. definitely a new favorite here
Perfect for make ahead breakfast!! So easy to make and fail proof!!
Planning to make more with everything bagel toppings! Thanks For sharing this recipe and always responding to our queries 🙂
These are delicious. I was surprised how easy they came together. I topped with Everything but the Bagel seasoning – YUM!!
My partner tried one, and said he’d be ok if I made these again.
Thanks for another great recipe!
These were so easy and impressed everyone who saw them! Delicious. I followed Sam’s recommendation to increase the yeast to 2.5 tsps if using active dry, and the dough turned out perfect. Made the dough on a Saturday morning when I woke up, and they were ready to shape and bake by the time I got ready. Topped with a variety of sesame seeds, za’atar, and everything bagel seasoning. Thanks for this recipe and the detailed instructions and notes!
I LOVE zaatar on bagels so I can imagine how good that was. Thanks Aviv!
These are incredible!! I couldn’t believe how soft and springy the dough was. Tucking the cream cheese inside is such a clever idea, too! I used aquafaba in place of the egg for the wash to keep them egg-free and topped them with a homemade everything-but-the-bagel seasoning blend. So good! This recipe is an absolute slam dunk. Thank you!!
Amelia you’ve got me wanting to make them again!
How do you recommend storing these and then serving them in the following days of making them? I want to try to mimmick the “fresh out of the oven” quality of them and so I would guess popping them in the oven or toaster oven to warm? But maybe you have a perfect reheating method? Thanks!
Hi Lauren, most home baked breads (or even bakery bought) aren’t great the next day so they won’t have that ‘fresh out of the oven’ quality you seek.You could gently reheat them in the microwave but they won’t taste as good as the day of!
I have a ton of active dry yeast. Do I still need the baking powder if I use active dry yeast??
Hi Danielle! The baking powder is more for the browning more than the leavening here. Keep the baking powder and increase the yeast to 2.5 tsps if using active dry.
I’m going to try that!! Thanks for always responding. My 3 year old son is going to love these ?
I want to say that this is my favorite recipe on this site, but I have so many! I will just say that I make these at least twice a month and my husband always asks me to make them more often. Such a simple, yet satisfying, recipe that can fuel breakfast for a few days in a row. Thank you, Sam!
Hi Kristin! That is SO wonderful to hear, thank you so much for trying the recipe (and for the comment!)
These were legit the bomb.com! I loved how simple these were to put together and that the topping and filling flavors are easily customizable! Plus these stay soft even after a few days, which has always been my gripe in the past with the bagels I’ve made before. Highly recommend these to any bagel lover who wants to take the fuss out of bagel making!
Hi Stephanie! That’s so great to hear and good to know they’ve stayed soft. Thank you for making the recipe!
These are heavenly bagels! Very easy to make and Sam you are right, the Nigella is a must. I coated a couple with Zaatar and that was just delicious.
Yay! So happy you loved them Benan.