The Bagels of Happiness

          Yes, technically, they're boiled bagels. Yes, technically, that is coffee cake topping spilling out of them. But technically, it doesn't matter, because no one could tell what they are by looking at them. They look kind of like a cross between mud pies and Hot-crossed Buns. (I didn't make the holes big enough this time around.) 

         Really, they're delicious. After searching for a good bagel recipe for a very long time, I came across this one and after tweaking it my liking, they're a breeze to make and taste amazing. I have done plain, coffee cake, blueberry, and cinnamon-raisin so far. And to prove that they're a success, my brothers eat them like they're candy.

          They're not pretty this time around, but pretty is overrated. Just eat them. 

Boiled Bagels of Happiness

4 Cups of flour 

(I use whole wheat, but have done it with half white and they turned out a bit lighter. I image that using all white would be wonderful as well.)

5 teaspoons of yeast 

1 1/2 Cups of warm water (by warm I mean hot, but not boiling) 

3 tablespoons of sugar OR 2 tablespoons of honey

1 tablespoon salt

1 tablespoon sugar

1. In a large bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups of flour with the yeast. Add to this the water, the sugar or honey, and your salt. Beat with a mixer on low for 30 seconds, scraping the sides of the bowl clean. Then beat on high for 3 minutes. After this, mix in an additional 2 cups of flour, or enough to make a moderately stiff dough.*

*If you are adding dry blueberries, cinnamon or sugar, or any other desired flavoring, add it now.

2. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead it until it is smooth and elastic, adding the rest of the flour as needed. (I usually knead it for about 4-5 minutes.) Cover and let rest for 15 minutes.

3. Cut the dough into 8 equal portions, rolling each into a smooth ball. With your finger, poke a hole in the center and shape each into a bagel. I usually just leave the dough through the hole on my finger and swing it around like a hula-hoop while the hole stretches. Whatever your method is will work fine. Put them on a greased cookie sheet, cover, and let them rise for 20 minutes.

4. Meanwhile, start a gallon of water boiling, stir into it the last tablespoon of sugar, and turn on your oven broiler.

5. When the bagels have risen, broil them lightly on each side, about 1 to 1 1/2 minutes. Turn off the broiler and preheat your oven to 375 degrees F.

6. Dump, throw, or gently set your bagels into the boiling water. (My pot fits three at a time.) Boil them for 7 minutes or so, flipping them once. Drain them, place them on greased pan,* and pop them in the oven for 20 -25 minutes.

*If you are doing some topping, such as a coffee cake topping, add it now.

Remove from oven and enjoy! They're best right out of the oven with a glass of milk, in my opinion.