Homemade Bagels

Making bagels is a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon with your kids. This is a very hands on learning activity - kids can measure ingredients (hello math skills!), watch the yeast activate (chemistry and physics), knead the dough (tactile), experiment with mix-ins like seeds, nuts, and fruit, and make fun shapes (geometry). Unlike store bought bagels, no two homemade bagels are alike - each one has its own unique shape and size, and each one can be flavored differently if you choose. If you want to make the cream cheese yourself, you'll want to start it the night before you make your bagels. Eating your bagels with homemade cream cheese is just the icing on the cake! Or the cheese on the bagel :)

4 1/2c Thrive Flour (White, Whole Wheat or a combination of both)
1 1/2c Warm Water
2 Packet Yeast
3T Thrive White Sugar
1T Thrive Salt
1T Honey (or maple syrup, sugar or molasses)
1T Thrive Baking Powder

Combine 1 1/2c flour, warm water, yeast, sugar and salt. Mix for 30 seconds on low, then 3 minutes on medium. If you are making this by hand, just stir it for 5 minutes.  Next, mix in flour, half a cup at a time, until a stiff dough forms (about 2 1/2 more cups). Flour your working surface with remaining flour, turn the dough out and knead it for 5-7 minutes. Cover your soft dough with a bowl and let it rest for 10 minutes. Next, divide and shape the dough as desired. Set your bagels on a greased cookie sheet and let them rise for 30 minutes.

Preheat your oven to 375. Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add 1T honey (or other sweetener) and 1T baking powder. Add the bagels 4 or 5 at a time, and simmer them for 7 minutes, turning once. Remove each with a slotted spoon and return to the greased baking sheet. If you would like to top your bagels, brush them with a little bit of Thrive Egg (1T Thrive Whole Egg Powder + 1T Water) and gently press desired toppings onto the top of the bagel. Once all of your bagels have boiled, bake them for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown.

Topping suggestions: coarse salt, poppy seeds, Thrive chopped onions, shredded cheese, parmesan, cinnamon and sugar, thinly sliced jalapenos, sun dried tomatoes, garlic powder.

 Makes a delicious BLT!