Recipe(tried): Basic Bagels

Basic Bagel Dough
From Better Homes & Gardens Nov. 1997

4 1/4 cups bread flour
1 pkg. active dry yeast
1 1/2 cups warm water
3 Tbs sugar
1 tsp. salt
1/4 cup cornmeal (to dust greased pan in final baking)

I use my bread machine for mixing the dough. Divide dough into 10 portions and shape into smooth balls. Let rest 10 min.

Shape balls by punching a hole and stretchting into a ring. Start timing at 20 min. when shaping first ball, and let rest the remaining time. Place bagels on a greased baking sheet to finish resting.

Prepare a large surfaced kettle of boiling water to have ready.

Preheat broiler.

After the 20 min. broil bagels 5 inches from the heat for 3 min. on each side. They should not get brown.

Boil, uncovered, 4 min. on each side.

Place bagels on a baking sheet greased and covered with cornmeal.

You can make these any flavor...or add dried blueberries etc. to the dough.

As Better Homes & Gardens states, "the secret is in the boiling."

Bake at 375 degrees for 25 min. Cool.