Water Bagel Recipe

I love to bake. Every year we have "bake day". We all come together and bake all day long and then split the goodies up for Christmas. Sometimes the guys join in but it is usually us gals and the grandkids. This picture is of three of my grandkids helping with the sugar cookies.

One of my favorite things to bake throughout the year are bagels. They are time consuming but relatively easy to do. The last time we made them the grandkids had great fun shaping them into "bagel" shapes and punching the hole in the middle with their fingers. What a blast we had! I have been promising to share the recipe, so here it is! Don't let it intimidate you... give it a try!

WATER BAGELS

4 - 5 cups unsifted flour
3 Tbsps sugar

1 Tbsp salt

1 pkg. active dry yeast

1 1/2 cups very warm tap water

1 egg white, beaten

1 tbsp cold water

In a large bowl, thoroughly mix 1 1/2 cups of the flour, sugar, salt and dry yeast together. Gradually add the warm water and beat for two minutes at medium speed with electric mixer, scraping the bowl occasionally. Stir in enough of the additional flour to make a soft dough. Turn out onto a lightly floured board; knead until smooth and elastic (8 to 10 minutes). Let it rest in a warm place for about 20 minutes. (It will not double in size).

Punch the dough down and divide into 12 pieces of dough. (Divide into half, then each half into half, then each quarter into half until you have 12 pieces). Pat each piece into a circle and punch a good size hole in the center with your finger. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 20 minutes. (Dough will not double in size).

Boil about 1 3/4 inch water in a large shallow pan. Lower heat and add a few bagels at a time. Simmer about 7 minutes (cover part of this time). Remove from water and place on towel to cool for 5 minutes. Place each bagel on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes. Combine egg white and water. Remove cookie sheet from oven and brush with the egg white & water. Return to oven and bake 20 minutes or longer, til golden brown. ENJOY!