Homemade Sourdough Bagels with Flavorful Varieties

Sourdough bagels are a delightful twist on the classic breakfast treat, offering a tangy flavor and chewy texture. In this recipe, we'll show you how to make the base sourdough bagel dough, and then we'll explore five delicious flavor varieties to add excitement to your morning routine.

Part 1: The Sourdough Bagel Dough

Ingredients:

• 1 cup active sourdough starter

• 1 1/2 cups warm water

• 4 cups bread flour

• 2 teaspoons salt

• 2 tablespoons honey

• 1 egg (for egg wash)

Instructions:

1. Mix the Starter: In a large bowl, combine the active sourdough starter and warm water. Stir until well blended.

2. Add Flour and Salt: Gradually add the bread flour and salt to the starter mixture. Mix until a dough forms.

3. Knead the Dough: Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead it for about 10 minutes, or until it becomes smooth and elastic.

4. Rise: Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and let it rise for 6-8 hours, or overnight until it doubles in size.

Part 2: Shaping and Boiling

Ingredients for Boiling:

• 12 cups water

• 1/4 cup honey

• 1 tablespoon baking soda

• 1 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

1. Divide the Dough: After the dough has risen, divide it into 12 equal portions. Roll each portion into a ball.

2. Shape the Bagels: Flatten each dough ball and poke a hole in the center with your thumb. Stretch the hole to form a bagel shape.

3. Boil the Bagels: In a large pot, bring the water, honey, baking soda, and salt to a boil. Reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Carefully drop the bagels into the simmering water, boiling for 1-2 minutes per side. Remove with a slotted spoon and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Part 3: Flavorful Bagel Varieties

Instructions for Base Bagels:

1. Plain Sourdough Bagels: If you prefer plain bagels, you can skip any additional flavorings.

Instructions for Seasonal Varieties:

1. Cinnamon Raisin Bagels: Add 1 cup of raisins and 2 tablespoons of ground cinnamon to the dough during mixing.

2. Everything Bagels: Mix together 2 tablespoons each of sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dried minced garlic, dried minced onion, and coarse salt. After boiling, sprinkle this mixture generously on top of the bagels.

3. Blueberry Bagels: Add 1 cup of fresh or frozen blueberries to the dough during mixing.

4. Cheddar and Jalapeño Bagels: Mix in 1 1/2 cups of grated cheddar cheese and 2-3 finely chopped jalapeños to the dough during mixing.

5. Cranberry Orange Bagels: Add 1 cup of dried cranberries and the zest of one orange to the dough during mixing.

Part 4: Baking and Enjoying

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. Egg Wash: Whisk the egg and brush it over the top of each bagel for a shiny finish.

3. Bake: Bake the bagels in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until they turn golden brown.

4. Cool and Serve: Let the sourdough bagels cool on a wire rack for a few minutes before enjoying them with your favorite spreads.

With these homemade sourdough bagels, you can enjoy a variety of flavors to suit your taste buds. Whether you prefer classic plain or want to explore seasonal varieties, these bagels are sure to become a breakfast favorite.