Just plain bagels

 I made some really bad bagels when I started out.  These are easy to make and even easier to eat.  They aren't too big, perfect for sandwiches or breakfast with cream cheese and lox.

From King Arthur

The night before, make your pre-ferment

1 cup or 120 grams of bread flour

1/8 tsp salt

1/16 tsp yeast

1/3 cup or 75 grams of warm water

With your hook attachment, mix the ingredients well until a sticky ball has formed

Cover and let sit at room temperature for 4 - 14 hours until it's doubled

In the morning add:

3/4 cup or 170 grams of water

2 tsp or 14 g dark malt syrup

3/4 tsp yeast

1 1/4 tsp salt

2 1/2 cup or 300 grams of bread flour

Mix over medium low speed until the preferment ball is worked into the dough and the ball is smooth and elastic, about 8-10 minutes if using a stand mixer

Put into a large lightly oiled bowl and cover to rise, 2 - 2 1/2 hours depending on how warm it is, until doubled

Turn out onto a very lightly floured work station and segment into 8 parts, 80-85 grams a piece

There are tons of videos if you're a first time bagel or bread maker

Pinch the edges into the middle bottom of your ball to make a nice tight and smooth top edge

Turn the ball, seam side down and roll in circles with your hand, like a claw, letting the ball roll around the inside of your hand

Place the balls on a parchment lined baking sheet for 10-15  minutes to rest

Pierce each ball with your finger in the middle and stretch if out to make a bagel shape, it will shrink slightly and that's ok (i even went back and stretched some a little bit more too)

Cover and let rise about 30 minutes until puffy

Meanwhile prepare a large shallow pan with about 1 1/2 inches of water for the bath

When it gets closer to the end of the last rise, turn the water on and bring to a simmer, whisk in a tablespoon of malt syrup and preheat your oven to 450

Once the water comes to a boil, place 3-4 bagels in the simmering water and cook a minute per side and place them back on the cookie sheet, seam side down

If you want to add toppings, apply an egg wash first and then coat your bagel

Cook for 15-16 minutes or until slightly browned (note, I've shortened the time for our oven and our altitude so check often to see if you need more time)