Blog Post 8: Sourdough Bagels

 Sourdough Bagel Recipe:

• 150 grams active sourdough starter
• 250 grams warm water
• 500 grams bread flour
• 40 grams sugar
• 11 grams salt
• 20 grams honey (for the boil bath)

Instructions:

1. in a large bowl, mix starter with warm water and sugar until milky
2. add bread flour and salt, mix until fully incorporated
3. knead the dough for 5-6 minutes
4. pull a small section of bagel dough above the rest, fold it over on top and push into the dough with the heel of your hand. repeat this motion while turning the bowl clockwise for 5-6 minutes (the dough will become pretty stiff and bumpy; this is totally normal)
5. cover the dough and let rest for an hour
6. after an hour of resting, repeat the stretch and fold and push routine with the heel of your hand for about 30 seconds
7. place dough in warm place to rise until doubled in size, around 8-12 hours
8. once dough has doubled in size, gently remove dough from bowl and turn onto a working surface, no flour needed
9. stretch and shape into large rectangle about 1/2 inch thick. cut dough into 8 equal triangle pieces
10. pull the corners of the triangles towards the center then roll the dough until formed into a smooth ball. repeat with all sections
11. use your thumb to punch a hole in the middle of the dough ball, stretch the dough ball with both thumbs about 2 inches apart
12. place shaped bagels on parchment lined baking sheet and cover with damp tea towel. let rise for 20-60 minutes
13. preheat oven to 425 degrees F
14. fill a large pot with water and add honey, mix until combined. bring water to a boil
15. once bagels have risen, carefully place 2-3 bagels into the boiling water and boil for 30 seconds on each side
16. scoop bagels out and place them on cooling rack, repeat with all bagels
17. after all bagels have been boiled, add whatever toppings you would like (I used everything seasoning and jalapeno cheddar, and left some plain)
18. bake bagels for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown
19. after they are fully baked, allow to cool enough to handle and enjoy!

Comments:

I'm not going to lie; these were a bit of work! More work than most sourdough recipes I have tried. However, they were 100% worth it! They were so tasty, soft, and chewy. I got the recipe from Simplicity and A Starter and slightly adjusted it to my liking. I loved all three of the kinds I made, the jalapeno cheddar being my favorite. I will definitely have to make them again; I just need to make sure I have a good amount of time that day to dedicate to them. Besides the work, they were so delicious and a huge hit among my family. 

Reviews:

Tate: "Absolutely the best bagels I have ever had. Really enjoyed the everything bagels and plain bagels. I think you should make blueberry or cinnamon sugar next time. So soft and yummy. Can't wait to have them again. 5/5 ★"

Haysten: He loved this recipe! They were super easy for him to
grab and eat himself. I spread them with a little bit of peanut butter, and he would eat an entire bagel by himself for breakfast! Will definitely have to make these for him again. 5/5 ★