My first time making bagels from scratch! I'd always been intimidated because making bagels involves more steps than making regular bread. It turns out that it's actually not too difficult making a nice, dense, chewy (I prefer this to a cakey texture) bagel that's customized to exactly how you want it to taste.
Step 1: Combine ingredients and knead. I decided to add raisins, cranberries, cinnamon, and cocoa powder. Let rise.
Step 2: Punch down, shape into bagels, and let rise again--just a little.
Step 3: Broil for a few minutes to get a crisper, chewier, shinier crust.
Step 4: Boil for a few minutes. This quickly cooks and sets the crust so that when you stick them in the oven, the insides can't rise past the crust, and that gives them their signature dense texture. Boil longer for a chewier, thicker texture.
Step 5: Finally, bake until very slightly browned. And there you go, your from-scratch bagels.
I close my eyes and imagine the dark hills I would have to cross / to reach you. For I am in love with you / and this is what it is like or what it is like in words.
Carol Ann Duffy
When I grow up, I'd like to be a cream puff. A cream puff with apricots, or even a plain one. Lukewarm at the bakery. In the window.
