Bagels, Bagels, Bagels!

If you are a fan of Bagels, and don't live in a town that is known for them, than you need to try and make your own.  There is nothing better than a bagel that is crunchy on the outside and chewy on the inside.

Making bagels is so easy and the results are delicious.

This recipe makes 16 bagels which you may think is too many, but you can share with friends or put in the freezer for later. They freeze great.

So pull out you Mixer and lets get started.

For the dough:

3 1/3 cup lukewarm water
2 Tablespoons sugar
2 Tablespoons Malt Syrup. (if you can not find you can sub sugar)
1 1/2 teaspoons dry active yeast
9 cups bread flour
1 Tablespoon salt




Method:


In the bowl of an electric mixer, place the water, sugar, malt syrup, and yeast.
Proof the yeast, it should take about 5 minutes for the yeast to start to bubble.  


Add the flour first than the salt.  You just want to keep the salt from coming in touch with the yeast. 

With a dough hook mix on low speed to incorporate and than beat on medium high speed for about 3 minutes.  the dough should form a smooth ball.

Place in a oiled container with a lid and let rise until double. 


Turn the dough out onto a floured surface.  With a bench scraper or a knife, divide the dough into 16 equal pieces.  (don't worry if they are not all the same, they are home made)


Form balls with the dough and place on a floured surface covered in plastic wrap to rise.  Let rest until double in size.


Now to shape the bagels:


Line 4 sheet pans with non stick paper and lightly oil.

Take a ball of dough in your hands, with your thumbs and pointer fingers work a hole in the center of the ball. And stretch.   Place the dough on the prepared sheet trays.

Again, cover with plastic wrap and let rest and rise for about ten minutes.




Now to cook the bagels:

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. First you boil the bagels, this gives them their texture. Place the bagels in simmering water for 3 minutes on each side.  Return the poached bagels to the oiled sheet trays.

Now to season,  You could just egg wash ( 1 egg plus 1 Tablespoon water) the bagels and bake or you can egg wash and add your favorite bagel topping. Sesame seeds, poppy seeds, onion, garlic, salt.  What ever you like.

 
Bake the bagels for 10 to 15 minutes depending on your oven.  Bake them until they are golden brown.  let cool for 5 or 10 minutes if you can keep your self from digging into one.  

Now enjoy!