Bran Bagels Recipes

REAL HOMEMADE BAGELS

Steps:

• Combine 1 1/4 cup water, flour, sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, vegetable oil, and yeast in the mixing bowl of a stand mixer. Mix on low speed using the dough hook until well-developed, about 8 minutes. To ensure the gluten has developed fully, cut off a walnut-sized piece of dough. Flour your fingers, and then stretch the dough: if it tears immediately, the dough needs more kneading. Fully developed dough should form a thin translucent "windowpane."
• Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with plastic wrap and a kitchen towel, and let rise for 2 hours.
• Punch the dough down, place it on a lightly floured work surface, and use a knife or dough scraper to divide the dough into 6 pieces (or more, for smaller bagels). Roll each piece of dough into a sausage shape about 6 inches long. Join the ends to form a circle. Repeat with the remaining dough, and let the bagels rest for 15 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 475 degrees F (245 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange small plates with poppy seeds, sesame seeds, and onion flakes next to the baking sheet.
• Bring 4 quarts water to a boil in a large pot. Add honey, if desired (see Editor's Note). Boil the bagels, three at a time, until they rise to the surface of the pot, about 1 minute per side. Remove the bagels with a slotted spoon and place them on the parchment-lined baking sheet.
• Dip the tops of the wet bagels into the toppings and arrange them, seeds up, on the baking sheet. Sprinkle with coarse salt, if desired. Bake in the preheated oven until the bagels begin to brown, 15 to 20 minutes.

BARON BAGELS

Steps:

• Put the yeast in the bowl of a standing mixer. Add 1 2/3 cups/ 365 grams lukewarm water and allow the yeast to activate, about 5 minutes. Add flour, 1 tablespoon/18 grams salt and malt powder and mix at low speed for 5 minutes using the dough hook. Cover the dough and allow to rise at room temperature for about 2 hours.
• Punch the dough down and shape into a rough rectangle about 1 to 1 1/2 inches thick, and about 2 times longer than it is wide. If you are having trouble forming the dough, stretch it, wait for the gluten to relax and re-form.
• Cut the dough into 10 pieces of about 3 ounces each. Roll each into an 8-inch-long snakelike shape, tapering the dough at each end. Circle the dough around your hand, pinching the ends together and rolling under your palm once or twice to seal. Put the bagels on a Silpat or other nonstick baking sheet on top of a jellyroll pan. Cover well with plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 10 hours, or up to 24 hours.
• Heat the oven to 425 degrees. If you have a baking stone or brick you use for baking, put it on a rack near the bottom of the oven; it will retain heat and produce a crisper bagel. Bring a large pot of water to boil, add the remaining salt and the baking soda into the boiling water and remove the bagels from the refrigerator.
• Carefully place just enough bagels into the pot to cover the surface of the water, making sure that there are no bagels resting on top of one another. Let them float on 1 side for 1 minute before flipping them to the other side for another minute or so. Remove the bagels and drain well on a cooling rack.
• Pour poppy or sesame seeds into a bowl wider than the bagels. Working very quickly, remove the bagels one by one and dip them into the topping. Place them back on the Silpat-covered baking sheet, topping side down.
• Bake on the second to highest shelf of the oven for 8 to 10 minutes. Then flip the bagels, rotate the pan and continue baking for about 8 minutes, or until they are golden brown.

CLASSIC BRAN MUFFINS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease muffin cups or line with paper muffin liners.
• Mix together wheat bran and buttermilk; let stand for 10 minutes.
• Beat together oil, egg, sugar and vanilla and add to buttermilk/bran mixture. Sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Stir flour mixture into buttermilk mixture, until just blended. Fold in raisins and spoon batter into prepared muffin tins.
• Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. Cool and enjoy!

BRAN BAGELS

Steps:

• In a saucepan, combine 1 cup water, butter, 2 tablespoons sugar, and salt. Place over medium heat and stir until butter is melted. Transfer to a large mixing bowl to cool.
• When the miexture is barely warm, stir in the dissolved yeast. Whisk in egg white until foamy and set the yolk aside in a glass measuring cup. Blend the egg white into the yeast mixture. Stir in the bran flakes. Add 1 cup of the flour and beat wit ha wooden spoon until smooth. Gradually blend in additional flour until the dough becomes too difficult to stir. Turn out onto a floured surface and knead in as much of the remaining flour as necessary to form a cohesive dough. Dust with flour to prevent sticking and continue kneading until doug his smooth and resilient. Transfer to a grased bowl and cover. Let rise.
• When dough is light (do not wait for it to double), turn it out onto a floured surface. Roll into a 12 inch rope. Cut into 12 1 inch pieces. Shape each into a ball bu rolling betwen the palms of your hands. Flatten balls slightly with floured fingertips. Poke your index finger through the center of each ball and twirl the dough around your finger in such a way as to enlarge the hole Transfer to a floured board. Cover loosely and let rise for 30 minutes until puffed but not double in bulk.
• Pour tap water into 12 inch skillet to a depth of 2 inches. Add the remaining tablespoon of suar and bring to a gentle bubble. Stir to dissolve the sugar. Using a metal spatula, lower 3 bagels into the water and cook exactly 1 minute. Turn and cook 1 minute on the other side. Transfer to an absorbent paper to drain. Repeat with remaining bagels.
• Preheat oven to 400°F generously grease a baking sheet. Whisk the reserved egg ylk with the remaining tsp of cold water and brush over surface of the bagels. Place on the prepped sheet. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until browned.

BAGELS FROM SCRATCH

Steps:

• Combine the flour and water with 20 grams (1 tablespoon) of the malt syrup, 25 grams (1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon) of the salt, and all of the yeast in the 6-quart bowl of a heavy-duty stand mixer and mix with the hook attachment on the stir setting until the mixture forms a shaggy dough. Increase the speed to low and knead until the dough is no longer sticky and springs back when pressed with a finger, about 10 minutes. It may still be slightly tacky, which is okay. If the dough gets stuck on the hook at any time during the mixing, stop the machine and pull the dough off the hook, pushing it to the side of the bowl so that it can continue kneading.
• Move the dough to the counter and shape into a ball. Place in a tall 2- to 4-quart transparent container, pressing down the top to flatten the dough. Mark the dough height on the outside of the bowl with tape or a rubber band. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and leave to rise at room temperature until the dough is about 1 1/2 times its original size, 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Meanwhile, line two half sheet pans with parchment paper and have standing by.
• When the dough has increased to 1 1/2 times its original size, punch the dough down and transfer to a cutting board. Cut into 12 (4-ounce) pieces and cover with a clean kitchen towel. Working with one piece at a time, roll each into a 16- to 18-inch-long snake, making sure to pop any large air bubbles, and then wrap around the palm of your hand twice to form a tight circle. With the seam side down and the snake still around your hand, roll your hand across the counter to seal the ends together. (Sometimes my wood board gets so dry, the dough just slides. If that happens, moisten the surface lightly with water. A spritz bottle is perfect for this.) Continue rolling on the counter to seal the seam all the way around the bagel. Transfer to the prepared pans and repeat with the remaining dough, evenly spacing 6 bagels on each tray. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate, preferably in the coldest part of your fridge, for 18 to 24 hours. (Tip: I place metal ramekins, the kind you might serve melted butter in, in the corners of the first pan so that I can stack the second pan on top of it without crushing the bagels below. This will save a lot of refrigerator space.)
• When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 450 degrees F and place a rack in the center position. You'll be boiling, then baking the bagels, so you'll need to set up a work area around your cooktop. You'll need to drain the bagels as they come out of the water (a wire rack over a pan or even a kitchen towel will suffice) and you'll need a fresh piece of parchment to put them on for baking.
• Remove one pan of bagels from the refrigerator and set by the cooktop until they soften and register between 60 and 65 degrees F, about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, bring a gallon of water to a boil over high heat in a wide pot, along with the remaining 80 grams (1/4 cup) of malt syrup and 50 grams (3 tablespoons) of salt. Once the water boils, reduce the heat to a gentle, not rolling, boil. At this point, remove the second pan of bagels from the fridge so they can warm up while you cook the first batch.
• Check the temperature of the first pan of bagels. If they're at 60 degrees F, carefully place three into the boiling water, making sure they don't overlap. (Use your fingers for this.) Boil for 1 minute, flipping if they rise to the surface in 30 seconds or less. (Don't worry if the bagels don't fully rise to the surface.) Remove the bagels with a slotted spoon and set them on the rack to drain and cool. Repeat with the other three bagels. As they drain, replace the parchment on their original pan (trust me, they'll stick if you use the old paper again) and then move the bagels back to it.
• Bake for 10 minutes, then rotate the pan and continue baking until the sides of the bagels are golden brown and the bottoms are firm, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven and transfer the bagels to a cooling rack.
• Repeat the same steps with the second pan of bagels.
• Let all of the bagels cool at least 10 minutes before serving. If you're not planning to eat all of them in one sitting, slice the cooled bagels, then wrap in plastic wrap, transfer to a gallon-size zip-top freezer bag, and freeze until ready to eat. To reheat, wrap frozen bagels in a paper towel and microwave on high to thaw, 30 seconds to 1 minute, then toast if desired.

HOMEMADE BAGELS

Steps:

• For the dough: Pour 1/2 cup warm water into a mixing bowl. Mix in the barley malt syrup, yeast packet and sugar until dissolved, then allow the yeast to foam, 10 minutes.
• To the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment, add the bread flour and salt and mix to combine. When the yeast mixture is ready, pour into the flour along with an additional 1 3/4 cups warm water. Mix until a soft dough forms. Your dough should clean the bowl and begin to climb the hook. Mix for about 5 minutes more on medium speed.
• After 5 minutes of mixing, pour the dough onto a clean surface and continue kneading by hand for an additional 15 minutes, until the dough is stiff, slightly tacky and very smooth. Put the dough in a clean bowl and cover with a damp towel. Let rise until doubled in size, 1 to 1 1/2 hours (see Cook's Note).
• Pre-shape the dough: Fold the dough down, deflating it, then turn out onto a clean work surface. Cut the dough into 12 equal pieces, about 4 ounces each. Form each piece of dough into a tight ball, rounding it in a circular motion until smooth. Place on a parchment-lined sheet tray lightly sprayed with cooking spray and repeat with the remaining dough, 6 to a tray. Cover with a damp towel and allow to rest for 10 to 15 minutes.
• Shape and proof: Roll out each ball into a rope roughly 9 to 10 inches. Pick up the rope and wrap it around your fingers where they meet your palm, overlapping the ends and forming a ring of even thickness. Seal the seam by rolling on your palm, then reshape if necessary into an even ring. Place back on the parchment and repeat with the remaining dough. Cover tightly with plastic wrap, then place the damp towel over the sheet tray. Refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight.
• Set up your grill for indirect heat. If using a charcoal grill, build the coals on one side only. If using a gas grill, heat one side only. Your grill should be at 450 degrees F.
• Finishing and baking: Allow the chill to come off of the bagels for at least 1 hour before baking. The bagels are ready to finish when the dough floats in room temperature water. Fill a bowl with room temperature water, pick up a bagel and drop it into the bowl. If it floats, the bagels are ready to proceed with the rest of the finishing and baking process. If the dough sinks, allow the dough to set out at room temperature for another 30 minutes and test again.
• For the bagels: Fill a pot halfway with water and bring to a boil on the direct heat side of the grill. Whisk in the barley malt syrup and baking soda. The water should look like brewed black tea. Drop as many bagels as will comfortably fit, about 4, into the pot and boil for 1 minute, flipping halfway through. Remove to a draining rack and continue with the remaining bagels. Pour your desired toppings onto plates and dip the tops of each bagel into the topping, pressing gently.
• Put the bagels on a cast-iron pan, place on the offset heat part of the grill, close the grill and bake until the bagels are deep golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool before serving.
• Oven method: Bake on a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet at 450 degrees F for 40 to 45 minutes.

BRAN BAGELS

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, bring 3/4 cup water to a boil add butter or margarine, 2 tablespoons sugar and salt stir until butter or margarine is melted. Cool to lukewarm in a large bowl. Dissolve yeast in remaining 1/4 cup warm water let set until foamy, 5 to 10 minutes. Add egg, bran cereal and yeast mixture to cooled butter mixture. Gradually stir in 2 1/4 cups flour to make a stiff dough. On a lightly-floured surface, knead until smooth and elastic, 7 to 10 minutes, using remaining flour. Place in a greased bowl turn dough to coat surface. Cover and let rise in a warm place, free from drafts, about 1 hour (dough will not double in bulk). Divide into nine to twelve even portions form into smooth balls. With thumbs, make a hole in the center of each, spreading evenly to make doughnut shapes. Place on a greased baking sheet. Cover and let rise in a warm place, free from drafts, until they start to rise, about 20 minutes. Preheat oven to 425° F. In a large kettle or skillet, combine 3 quarts water and 1 tablespoon sugar bring to boil. Drop three or four bagels one at a time, into boiling water. Simmer 1 minute on a side, turning once. Remove with a slotted spatula and drain on paper towels. Place on a lightly-greased baking sheet. Sprinkle with optional sesame or poppy seed. Bake for 17 to 20 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool.

BRUCE EZZELL'S BAGELS

Steps:

• To make the sponge, combine the ingredients in the bowl of a standing mixer and mix with a spoon till the ingredients are combined. Set aside at room temperature for 4 -12 hours. Do this before going to bed if you want fresh bagels in the morning.
• Add salt, honey, malt syrup, and flour to the sponge, the flour last. Attach dough hooks to your mixer and mix at low speed for 8-10 minutes. This is a stiff, bucky dough so don't walk away from the mixer if it has a tendency to walk across your counter top.
• Once the dough is mixed remove it to your counter and cover with a cloth to let it rest for 5-10 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Place a baking stone in the oven.
• Divide the dough into 6 equal pieces. Round each piece and set aside to rest for a few more minutes, covered.
• To shape take each ball of dough and flatten out slightly using the palm of the hand, making a disc approximately 3.5 inches wide. Make a hole in each using your thumb and place back on the counter, covered, to rise.
• Bring your water (in a wok or large pot) to a simmer, then add the baking soda.
• After 10 minutes flip each bagel over so the bottom is now facing up. When this side begins to get slightly puffy and rounded it is time to boil. This may take as little as 5 minutes, but depending on the temperature of your kitchen, how cold your countertop is, etc., it might take longer. When the bagel looks and feels a bit puffy, it's ready to boil.
• Drop the bagels 3-4 at a time into the simmering water (depending on how large your pot is). They should float immediately or within a few seconds. Let them simmer for one minute, then flip them over using a chopstick or spoon and let the other side simmer for one minute. Remove from the water using a skimmer or large spoon and place on a clean tea towel.
• Sprinkle them with sesame, poppy seeds, salt or whatever you prefer immediately after removing them from the water, and place on parchment paper.
• Slide parchment paper onto baking stone and bake for 12-13 minutes or until golden brown.

GRANDMA SHERRILL'S BAGELS

Steps:

• Mix flour, hot water, sugar, yeast, and salt in a large bowl; transfer dough to a work surface and knead for 10 minutes. Place dough in a bowl and let rise for 15 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease a baking sheet.
• Form dough into 24 balls; punch a hole in the middle of each ball with a finger, creating a bagel shape. Place bagels on the prepared baking sheet; let rise for 20 minutes.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil; cook bagels, working in batches, in the boiling water, about 45 seconds per side. Place boiled bagels on a clean towel to drain. Return bagels to the baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until cooked through and lightly browned, 30 to 35 minutes.