1 ½cupswarm waterplus 1 Tbsp., plus more if needed
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 ½ cupsall purpose flouror use bread flour
1 ½ Tbsp sugar
1 ¾ tsp salt
2 tsprapid rise or bread machine yeast
1 Tbsp baking sodaoptional
1 egg
Favorite toppings such as poppy seeds, sesame seeds, garlic or onion flakes, and grated cheese
Instructions
Place the warm water in the bottom of your bread machine bowl and then top it with the flour, sugar, salt, and yeast.
Set your bread machine to its leavened dough setting and start. Because different flours behave differently, check the machine after 2-3 minutes of mixing to make sure that there is enough water.
When the bread machine is done, punch the dough down and let it rest for 10 minutes.
Turn the dough out onto a counter or cutting board and divide it into 8 equal pieces (you can use a kitchen scale if you want to be really precise).
Gently roll each piece of dough with the palm of your hand to form a ball.
Lightly coat your finger with flour and press it into the center of each ball to form a ring. Then gently stretch the ring out into a bagel shape and set aside.
Once you are done forming all 8 bagels, cover them with a clean, damp dish towel and let them rest, for at least ten minutes, while you preheat the oven and bring the water to a boil.
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees and line a baking sheet either with a silicone mat or parchment paper. Set a large pot of water on the stove to boil.
When the water is boiling, add the baking soda, if using it, to the water. Adding baking soda helps to make the bagels chewier.
Using a slotted spoon, carefully lower 2-3 bagels into the boiling water and let them sit for 1-2 minutes (the longer they are in the water, the chewier the bagels will be). Then flip and let them sit for another 1-2 minutes.
Using the slotted spoon, remove the bagels from the water and place them on the baking sheet. Repeat until all your bagels have been boiled.
Make the egg wash by whisking the egg together with 1 Tbsp. water.
Brush them all lightly with the egg wash, add toppings if desired, and then bake the bagels for 20 minutes, or until golden.
Place the bagels on a cooling rack or slice one up and enjoy with your favorite schmear!