Ingredients:
For the Bagel Dough:
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100g active sourdough starter
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255g water
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40g honey
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10g fine sea salt
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500g bread flour
For the Water Bath:
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7 cups water
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3 tablespoons granulated sugar
Instructions:
Step 1: Mix the Dough
In the bowl of your stand mixer, stir together the sourdough starter, water, honey, and salt. Attach the dough hook to your mixer & dd the bread flour. Knead the dough on the lowest speed for 6-7 minutes. If you’re kneading by hand, give it about 10 minutes of effort. Once it's smooth and firm, cover the bowl and let it rest at room temperature for 8-12 hours.
Step 2: Shape the Bagels
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper & sprinkle with flour. Turn the dough out onto a clean surface and divide it into 6-8 equal pieces depending on how large you like your bagels. Shape each piece into a ball. To shape your bagels, place a dough ball in front of you and poke your thumb straight through the middle. Gently stretch and shape it into a ring and place it on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining dough balls. Cover them with a towel and let them rise for about 30-60 minutes, until they look puffy and slightly bigger. If you want to add blueberries, incorporate them into your before shaping.
Step 3: Prepare the Water Bath
Preheat your oven to 220°C and make sure your oven rack is in the center position. Bring 7 cups of water to a boil in a large stockpot and stir in 3 tablespoons of granulated sugar.
Step 4: Boil the Bagels
Once the bagels have finished rising, carefully drop them into the boiling water, boiling each for 2 minutes on each side. Be careful not to overcrowd the pot — only boil 3-4 at a time to give them plenty of space.
Step 5: Add Toppings and Bake
Use a mesh strainer to remove the bagels from the water bath and place them back onto the parchment paper. Let them cool just enough to handle. Then dip one side into your favorite toppings and return them to the baking sheet. Bake at 220°C for 25-30 minutes, or until they’re perfectly golden brown.
Slightly cool & enjoy on their own with some butter or any toppings you like!
