bagels

Tender on the inside and crunchy on the outside, these freshly made New York-style bagels are perfect for your next brunch. Onion and garlic flakes, coarse sea salt and nutty sesame seeds add a hearty crunch to this breakfast classic.

Ingredients

• 25 g active dry yeast
• 200ml 3% milk, heated to 37 degrees Celsius
• 250ml water, heated to 37 degrees Celsius
• 50ml (45 g) granulated sugar
• 30g unsalted butter, room temperature
• 660 g all-purpose wheat flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 6-12 tbsp All American Bagel Seasoning (1/2-1 tbsp per bagel, season to taste)

preparation

Put the yeast in a mixing bowl, pour milk over it and whisk gently until the yeast has dissolved.
Add water, sugar, butter and wheat flour. Knead the dough for about 12 minutes. Add the salt and knead for a few more minutes until you have a firm, smooth dough. It's OK if you need to add a little more flour if necessary - the dough needs to be very firm or the bagels will lose their shape.

Place the dough back into the bowl, cover with plastic wrap and let it rise for about 45 minutes, until it has doubled in size.
Take the dough and knead it lightly on a floured board, being careful not to incorporate too much air. Divide the dough into 12-14 equal parts. First make smooth round balls, then shape them into a ring by inserting your finger into the center of each bun and twisting the bun around your finger. Tip: make the hole in the center of the rings about 3 cm wide; the hole will get smaller as they rise.
Place the rings on two baking sheets lined with parchment paper (6-7 per sheet) and let them rise until doubled in size, about 20 minutes.
In the meantime, heat the oven to 200 degrees Celsius and put 2-3 liters of water on the stove to boil. When the water boils, add the honey. Adding honey to the boiling water is the secret to a crispy crust on the bagel.
When the rings have finished rising, place 2-3 rings at a time into the boiling water. Cook the rings for 1 minute on each side, 2 minutes total. Remove the rings with a slotted spoon and place them on a baking sheet. Sprinkle All American Bagel Seasoning on the top while the bagels are still moist.
Bake on the middle rack of the oven for about 20 minutes. Allow to cool on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes.
Cut in half and enjoy! Serve the perfect brunch appetizers with a selection of smoked salmon, cream cheese, red onion and capers or sandwich in a fried egg, crispy bacon and melting cheese.

Johannes from the Great Taste Team wishes you good luck and lots of enjoyment!