A Bagel Recipe is Made Like Bread Recipes and Can Easily be Blueberry Bagels

The first time bagel recipe entered my vocabulary was in 1978. A friend was telling me about a brunch which had just been to at a local country club in Florida. According to her, the best things on the buffet table were these so called “bagels”. She went on to describe these donut shaped breads. Having never heard of these before, the thing that got my attention was that they served them with cream cheese. Of course “cream cheese” got my attention being that it is one of my favorite ingredients.

I have always loved homemade bread so I knew I would also love these bagels. I began searching for a bagel recipe which I could make. One day I happened to mention this to another friend who grew up in New York.

She said, “Of course, I know what bagels are. I was raised eating bagels. I will give you my recipe.”

The following recipe is the one my friend gave to me. I have made them since then too many times to count. They are really delicious! I have seasoned them with many different spices and herbs. You can also sprinkle them with cinnamon and sugar or let your imagination loose!

A bagel recipe is a bread product and they can vary from country to country and even city to city. They were brought to the United States by Jewish immigrants. This is why they are very common in the United States where there is a large population of Jewish people. I use to have a restaurant in an area like this and this is where I learned to perfect my bagel recipe. I served them every day with cream cheese and lox. You can purchase bagels today in every grocery store; they are that common. They are available on the shelves with other bread products and frozen; but like other breads the best is homemade and fresh from the oven.

The bagel recipe which my friend gave to me instructs you to broil first, boil next and then bake in the oven. The result of these bagels is a dense, chewy interior with a brown and slightly crispy exterior (a resemblance of hot pretzels; something I always loved). Before putting the bagels in the oven you can also top them with your favorite seeds such as poppy seeds or sesame seeds.

Today the bagel recipe has taken on new flavors. In many places you can get chocolate ones and others flavored with a variety of different fruits. I have made blueberry and strawberry bagels. They too are absolutely delicious with cream cheese spread on top while they are still warm.

BAGEL RECIPE

• 4 ¼ to 4 ½ Cups flour


• 2 Packages active dry yeast


• 1 ½ Cups warm water (110F degrees to 115F degrees)


• 3 Tablespoons sugar


• 1 Tablespoon salt


• 1 Tablespoon sugar

In a mixer bowl, combine 1 ½ cups flour and the yeast. Combine the warm water, 3 tablespoons sugar and salt. Pour liquid mixture over the flour mixture. Beat at a low speed for about a minute, scraping sides of bowl. Beat 3 minutes at high speed. Stir in as much remaining flour as you can to mix by hand with a spoon.

Turn dough out onto a floured board. Knead and add in enough flour to make a stiff dough. Continue kneading until smooth and elastic. Divide dough into 12 portions; shape into smooth balls. Punch a hole in the center of each and gently pull hole to enlarge. Place on a greased baking sheet. Cover and let rise for 20 minutes. Broil 5 inches from heat for 1 ½ to 2 minutes on each side. (Do not brown)

Preheat oven to 375F degrees.

Add 1 tablespoon sugar to 1 gallon water and bring to a boil; reduce heat. Drop bagels with a large spoon in hot water 4 at a time for 7 minutes turning once; drain. Place on a greased baking sheet. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes.

OPTIONAL RECIPES