bagels
INGREDIENTS:
4 cups all purpose flour
1 tablespoon dry active yeast
1 and 1/2 cups warm water
1 tablespoon white sugar
3 teaspoons salt
optional toppings: everything bagel seasoning, sesame seeds, salt, poppy seeds, shredded cheese, or anything else you can think of!
BOILING LIQUID:
Enough water to fill a large pot
2 teaspoons baking soda
INSTRUCTIONS:
In a large bowl add water, yeast, and 1 tablespoon of sugar. You want the water warm but not too hot. It needs to be around 100 degrees. Much hotter and it will kill the yeast. I just use hot water from the tap. Let the mixture sit for about 10 minutes until it is nice and foamy.
Add the yeast mixture along with the remaining ingredients to a stand mixer. You can either use the paddle attachment to get everything mixed up, or mix it by hand before attaching the dough hook. Allow the dough to knead on medium speed for about 10 minutes. It needs to knead for this long! I promise. If you do not have a stand mixer then you can mix the ingredients by hand and knead for about 15 minutes. Baking and a workout at the same time! Heck yes! Look at you burning those bagel calories before you even eat one!
Pull off a piece of dough and stretch it. You want it to make a “windowpane” that you can see through, but does not rip. That’s when you are done kneading!
Place dough in large bowl and cover with plastic wrap or a damp kitchen towel. Allow dough to rise for about an hour. It will grow but not quite double in size.
Once dough has risen, divide into 8 equal pieces. Form a ball with each piece and poke a hole in the middle using your finger. Stretch the ring of dough out a bit and place on a parchment lined baking sheet.
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Once boiling, add 2 teaspoons of baking soda. Add 1 or 2 bagels at a time and allow to boil on each side for about 45 seconds. Remove the bagel from the water and place back on the parchment lined baking sheet.
Sprinkle bagel with desired toppings while the bagel are still wet and the toppings will stick.
Bake bagels for 25 - 30 minutes. You can brush the bagels with a 1/2 cup whipped aquafaba mixed with 2 tablespoons of maple syrup, or melted vegan butter. This just helps the bagels brown. You do not have to brush them with anything.
Allow bagels to cool on a the baking pan before storing in an airtight container at room temperature.
Serve with vegan cream cheese, carrot lox, or even our delicious vegan egg salad
You can freeze the bagels for up to a few months. You can also split the dough into 16 pieces if you want smaller bagels.
