It’s about that time of year when I begin to long for spring.

After months cooped up indoors due to cold weather and snow storms, I dream of warmer climates, green grass and blooming flowers, and extended day light.

Except on the coast of North Carolina.

A region that winter forgot.

Maybe it’s because I didn’t get to experience autumn this year.  I do that quite often.  Think the grass is always greener on the other side and then change my mind.  My mother use to tell me (who am I kidding, still tells me) that I change my mind more than I change my underwear.  Especially when I was trying to figure out what career path I wanted for myself.  First, I wanted to be a news anchor, and then I wanted to teach English in Japan.  After that I wanted to join the Navy.  I even cut 13 inches of my hair in preparation.  But then I changed my mind and wanted to study business in England…

… I ended up joining the Marine Corps.

Now, my indecisiveness has a little less to do with what I want to do with my life and a little more to do with where I want to spend my life.

Once I became a single mother, I moved from Virginia back to my home state of Pennsylvania.  After one year of living up there, and experiencing all the seasons, I was done.  I needed warmth.  I needed beaches, and summer, and sunshine.  So, before summer even hit in Pennsylvania, we packed our bags and moved south, and by June I had everything I wanted.  And then July hit.  And brought rain.  And so did August.  September brought Florence.  And then October, November, December, January, and now February has brought rain.  And cool temps.  Not cold.  Just cool.  I mean, most days I can get by without a coat.

Now I sit here.  Halfway through winter.  And I’m longing for an actual winter.  One that is depicted all over the news.  I want snow storms and sub zero temperatures.  I want to cook a big pot of chili and not sweat while eating it.

So what better way to make me imagine that cooler temps are coming than to bake with warming spices that make my house smell absolutely divine?  Sure, so my house temperature gets into the mid-seventies with the oven turned on, but oh my gosh does it smell good.

So, here’s my first of many adaptions I’m going to make from those two-ingredient dough bagels I shared last week – cinnamon raisin bagels.  And these do not disappoint.  The addition of monk fruit and raisins sweeten them perfectly and the vanilla and cinnamon lend just enough spice to make you believe you’ve just broken into a pack of Thomas’s without all the guilt.

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Cinnamon Raisin Two Ingredient Dough Bagels

serves 4 * serving size: 1 bagel * calories: 179 * fat: 1.2g * carbs: 31.6g * fiber: .8g * sugar: 8.6g * protein: 10.8g * WW points: 5 

• 1 c. plain, non-fat, Greek yogurt
• 1 c. self-rising flour
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/4 c. raisins
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp. water

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.  Place parchment paper on a baking sheet and lightly spray with cooking spray to prevent sticking.

In a large bowl, with a sturdy spatula, combine the flour, vanilla extract, and Greek yogurt together, adding 1/4 c. of the yogurt at a time.  Once the dough is crumbly, dump onto a clean, lightly floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes, or until the dough is smooth and elastic.  Dust with additional flour if you notice the dough is too sticky.  Once dough is smooth and elastic, flatten and add the cinnamon and raisins.  Knead a bit longer to get a good cinnamon swirl and disperse the raisins through the dough.

Divide into four equal parts.  Shape each portion into a ball and then use your thumb to make a hole in the center of the ball.  Gently stretch until your dough is uniformed in size  – make the hole a little larger than you may think you need due to the dough rising while baking (as you can see from the photo, I did not do this).  Place on baking sheet and repeat with remaining rounds.

Mix together the egg wash by whisking the egg and water together in a small bowl.  Brush the egg wash over the bagels.  Bake for 10 minutes and then rotate the baking sheet and bake for an additional 11 minutes.

Remove the baking sheet from the oven and increase the temperature to 450 degrees F.  Return the baking sheet to the oven and continue baking for an additional 5 minutes or until the tops are golden.