Hot Bagels

When you grow up in New Jersey, you are spoiled by a couple of things:

1. Close proximity to New York City and all that has to offer
2. The coolest, most fantastically beautiful historic homes, EVER
3. 24 hour diners
4. Fresh, hot bagels made in a local bagel shop (yes, they have shops specifically for bagels and nothing else!)

My first time visiting New Jersey was about 8 years ago when my husband and I began dating.  As with any new relationship, we were excited to share stories about our past and introduce each other to the life experiences we had growing up.  On that first visit, Andrew and I took a walk through his small hometown of Ramsey, NJ, visited his highschool, country club golfcourse, and his first job...at the local bagel shop.  All it took was one bite of those huge, fluffy pillows of warm dough and I was hooked!!

8 years and many bagels later, we decided to find a bagel recipe that was easy (could be made the same morning we wanted to eat them), delicious (of course), and reminded us of those wonderful New Jersey bagels.

These instructions are for making the dough in a bread machine-I will give mixer directions following the recipe.

Place ingredients in bread machine as follows:
1 1/2 cups lukewarm water
1 Tbsp vegetable oil
4 1/2 cups bread flour
2 tsp salt
2 tsp brown sugar
1 Tbsp granulated sugar
1 Tbsp dry active yeast

Once ingredients have been added in order instructed, select dough cycle.  After the first kneading cycle finishes, stop the machine, remove dough, divide into 8 sections, and form bagels (make a "snake" and connect ends). Cover and let rest for 15-20 mins.
Preheat oven to 450 degrees.  While the oven is heating, fill a large pot with water and heat to a boil.
Line one baking sheet with parchment paper and one with a kitchen towel.
Boil each bagel (no more than 2 at a time) for 45 seconds each side.  Remove and place on kitchen towel allowing the towel to absorb some of the moisture.
Place bagels on parchment-lined baking sheet.  Place in oven and immediately reduce the oven temperature to 425 degrees.
Bake for 17-25 minutes-towards the end of the cooking time, flip bagels to allow other side to lightly brown.
Let cool on wire racks and enjoy!

To do this recipe in a mixer:
Place the lukewarm water in mixer bowl and sprinkle yeast on top.  Let sit for 5 minutes before adding remaining ingredients.  Using the kneading attachment, mix/knead for 15 minutes.  Let dough rest for 5 minutes before continuing with the rest of the recipe.