Homemade Bagels

• servings: Makes 12
• total time: 1 day 2 hours

Ingredients

4¼ to 4¾ cups all-purpose flour

2 packages active dry yeast

1½ cups warm water (110° to 115°)

3 tbsp sugar

1 tbsp salt

1 tbsp sugar

Directions

In a mixer bowl combine 1½ cups of the flour and the yeast. Combine warm water, the 3 tablespoons sugar, and salt. Pour over flour mixture. Beat at low speed of electric mixer ½ minute, scraping bowl. Beat 3 minutes at high speed. Stir in as much remaining flour as you can mix in with a spoon.

Turn out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead in enough remaining flour to make a moderately stiff dough that is smooth and elastic (6 to 8 minutes total). Cover; let rest 10 minutes.

Cut into 12 portions; shape each into a smooth ball. Punch a hole in the center of each. Pull gently to make a 1½- to 2-inch hole. Place on a greased baking sheet. Cover; let rise 20 min-utes. Broil 5 inches from heat 3 to 4 minutes, turning once (tops should not brown). Heat 1 gallon water and the 1 tablespoon sugar to boiling; reduce heat. Cook 4 or 5 bagels at a time for 7 minutes, turning once; drain. Place on a greased baking sheet. Bake in a 375° oven for 25 to 30 minutes. Makes 12.

Light Rye Bagels

Prepare Bagels as above, except substitute 14 cups rye flour for the first 1¼ cups of the all-purpose flour.

Herb Bagels

Prepare Bagels as above, except add 2 teaspoons dried marjoram, crushed; or 1 teaspoon dried dillweed; or 1 teaspoon dried tarragon, crushed; or ½ teaspoon garlic powder to the flour-yeast mixture.

Onion Bagels

Prepare Bagels as above, except cook ½ cup finely chopped onion in 3 tablespoons butter till tender but not brown Brush onion mixture over tops of bagels after first 15 minutes of baking.

Poppy Seed or Sesame Seed Bagels

Prepare Bagels as above, except before bak-ing, brush tops with beaten egg; sprinkle with poppy seed or toasted sesame seed.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: makes 8 three-inch bagel
• Calories: 224 kcal
• Total Fat: 1 g
• Saturated Fat: 0 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg
• Sodium: 440 mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 46 g
• Dietary Fiber: 1 g
• Total Sugars: 4 g
• Protein: 7 g