I might not have thought at home you can readily make the most amazing bagel you have ever eaten. No cream cheese. No toppings needed. No butter. This bagel is glorious, stand-alone quality all by itself. Sometimes, I may toss some toppings on for variety, but plain is still my fave. My friends I have served these to were in agreement; they would take one of these over a donut any day. Scrumptious! Enthusiastic approval!
If you make these for someone, they will immediately ask you for the recipe or just politely try to sneak another.
HOMEMADE BAGELS
Makes 16 bagels
4 teaspoons yeast
3 tablespoons sugar
3 cups warm water
7 cups bread flour (regular works too)
3 teaspoons salt
Toppings such as: sea salt, minced garlic, poppy seeds, sesame seeds, cinnamon sugar (optional)
Pour water over sugar and yeast in a bowl. Let sit for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, mix salt and flour together. Stir yeast water into dry ingredients. Knead dough for 5 minutes. Return dough to bowl and cover with a cloth. Allow to rise for one hour.
Divide dough into sixteen equal sized pieces and shape into round balls. Shape a hole into center of dough and stretch slightly into a ring. Arrange bagels on baking sheets and cover with towel.
Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Place bagels into boiling water, cooking on each side for 2 minutes. Return bagels to baking sheet. Add toppings, if desired.
Bake for 20 minutes.
- 4 teaspoons yeast
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 3 cups warm water
- 7 cups bread flour (regular works too)
- 3 teaspoons salt
- Toppings such as: sea salt, minced garlic, poppy seeds, sesame seeds, cinnamon sugar (optional)
- Pour water over sugar and yeast in a bowl. Let sit for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, mix salt and flour together. Stir yeast water into dry ingredients. Knead dough for 5 minutes. Return dough to bowl and cover with a cloth. Allow to rise for one hour.
- Divide dough into sixteen equal sized pieces and shape into round balls. Shape a hole into center of dough and stretch slightly into a ring. Arrange bagels on baking sheets and cover with towel.
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Place bagels into boiling water, cooking on each side for 2 minutes. Return bagels to baking sheet. Add toppings, if desired.
- Bake for 20 minutes.
Adapted from Ultimate Bread.