Homemade Bagels

Dry Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon yeast

Wet Ingredients:

3/4 cup warm water

Instructions:

1. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, sugar, salt, and yeast.

2. Pour in the warm water and mix until a shaggy dough forms.

3. Transfer the dough onto a clean surface and knead until it forms a smooth dough. The dough should be smooth and slightly tacky but not sticky. If it's sticky, add a couple of tablespoons of flour while kneading.

4. Once a smooth dough is achieved (approximately 4 minutes of kneading), place it in a bowl and cover it with a towel. Allow it to rise in a warm place for about an hour, until it almost doubles in size. Tip: Preheat the oven to 200°F, turn it off, and place the covered dough inside with the door open to speed up the rising process.

5. After the dough has risen, transfer it to a lightly floured surface and knead for an additional minute.

6. Divide the dough (favorite tool) into 4 equal-sized pieces. Roll each piece into a smooth ball and use your thumb to create a hole in the center, shaping them like bagels.

7. Allow the bagels to rest for 5-10 minutes.

8. Preheat the oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

9. Bring a pot of water to a boil. Carefully place the bagels into the boiling water and boil each side for 1 minute.

10. Transfer the boiled bagels onto the prepared baking sheet.

11. Top each bagel with anything of your choice- shredded sharp cheddar cheese and slices of jalapeño or parmesan & seasalt!

12. Bake the bagels in the preheated oven for 20 minutes until they turn golden brown and become crispy.

Happy cooking and may your kitchen be filled with the warmth of Montana hospitality and flavors!