Homemade bagels

Marly     March 29, 2010

I have always felt overwhelmed by the thought of making homemade bagels, but your post is encouraging me to consider trying it. You notice I said “consider” trying! It’s just that they look so good. Thanks!

Lisa Marie     March 29, 2010

@Marly: Lol I put it off for a while too. But now I wonder why. It’s really easy and seriously, what’s better than a freshly made bagel? One that you made yourself and have total control over what goes in it? I really am excited about making them again. I can’t wait until I come up with a crazy cool new flavor so that I can post a recipe of my own.

Marly     March 30, 2010

Yes, do a cinnamon one so I can look at the picture and drool over that too! Maybe I can just live vicariously through your bagel making experiences! Actually, we have a family get together this weekend so I’m wondering if I can be brave enough to try making this for them. How cool would that be to bring homemade bagels? You promise they’re easy?

Lisa Marie     March 30, 2010

@Marly: Yes yes! They really are easy. I made them again last night to sort of try getting the hang of it. If you follow the recipe in the link I mentioned you should be fine. I made a few changes which resulted in WAY nicer bagels.

1) To shape them it really is better to roll into a ball and poke your thumb through the center. I ended up making a rope and formed a circle. They turn out nicer using the first method.

2) After you shape the bagels, allow them to rise a second time. The recipe says to just allow the bagels to rest for 10 minutes. I let them rise for another 45 minutes.

3) I read somewhere that you should put a water bath on the bottom rack and bake the bagels on the top rack. I tried it out and ended up with a less dry bagel. The inside was so moist and delicious!

4) I brushed some soy milk on the top of the bagels before putting them into the oven so that they’d turn a nice golden brown color.

It only looks like too much work. It’s really not though. Make them for your get together. People will love them!

I’ll post pictures of the ones I made last night. Maybe that’ll change your mind. :)

Alicia     March 30, 2010

Those look like kind of a cross between croissants and bagels, which equals perfect in my mind. Make sure you try blueberry! Those are really the only kind I like, other than the savory sort.

Red     April 13, 2010

These look good. I definitely should give them a try.

Lisa Marie     April 13, 2010

@Alicia: Oh I’m definitely going to try blueberry. I can’t wait to!

@Red: Thank you! You should. They’re way easier than you think.