u/Competitive_Tune_159

Hello bagel experts! First off, I really appreciate this sub and a lot of friendly people wanting to share tips. Thanks again and below was my recent try and my learning points were the following in case it helps another first-timer.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Bagels/comments/1ta46b5/bagel_help/

1. Have everything measured out in grams, including the water! This is how you will ensure the bagels are portioned correctly. Seems like most people shoot for 140 grams per bagel.

2. Don't be afraid after the first proof to shape the bagel. I thought initially you shouldn't punch out the air but don't be afraid to divide and shape.

3. Look at the ratio of ingredients. There are recommended % for each ingredient.

Revised recipe for 8 bagels. May I get another second set of eyes on here before I give it a try? Appreciate any advice so my friend's don't eat sad bagels when they come over for day night. : )

Bagel Ingredients

·         382 grams warm water (between 100 to 110F)

·         5 grams yeast

·         695 grams bread flour

·         19 grams honey

·         14 grams salt

Water Bath

·         2 quarts water with ¼ cup with 85 grams of honey

·         1 tablespoon of baking soda

Prepare The Dough

1.       Whisk the warm water and yeast together directly into the mixer; sit for 5 minutes

2.      Then add the sugar, flour.  Mix a bit and add salt last.  Mix for about 5 to 7 minutes.

3.      Proof 1 - Transfer to greased bowl and cover.  Wait for 1 hour or double in sized.

4.      Shape and float test – divide into 8 pieces (aim for 139 grams per bagel), shape it, then perform a float test (if it doesn’t float within 10 seconds, let the shaped bagels proof more before testing again)

5.      Proof 2 – put the bagels in the fridge, wrapped, for 12 to 24 hours

6.      Get the water bath going then drop in cold bagel directly from the fridge; 1 minute on each side (do this in batches; keep the 4 in the fridge until ready for batch B to boil and bake)

7.      Let each bagel drain on a wire rack for 1 minute; while bagels are damp add the toppings

Baking (normal not convention)

1.      Preheat the pizza stone at 425 degrees, ideally for at least 45 minutes so the stone is fully saturated

2.      Put the 4 bagels on the Silpat lined sheet, slide the sheet directly onto the preheated pizza stone. 

3.      Bake at 425 for 15 to 18 minutes.  Roate the pan 180 degrees at the 8 minute mark. 

4.      Let batch A cool.  Let the pizza stone reheat again for about 10 minutes before baking batch B. 

Hello bagel experts! I tried making bagels for mother's day and was using the double proof method. It didn't turn out well visually... I'm a bit embarrassed but will try it again this weekend and would appreciate any tips please. TIA!

Proof 1 - room temperature and let the dough grow twice in size; then punch down and separate into 8 even pieces; wait for the dough to rise and do the water test to make sure it floats

Proof 2 - after doing the float test, put the bagels in the fridge for 12 to 24 hours. Boil it in honey and baking soda for 1 minute on each side. Bake directly on pizza stone and silicon mat. Turned the silicon mat 180 degrees half way through the bake.

Question - I think my main issue is shaping and also not weighing out the dough into equal pieces ? I think I was afraid after proof 1 to punch down the dough (felt like it would undo all the air) and reshape the dough by rolling it into a ball and poking a hole through.

Question 2 - After proof 2, the bagels are floating but still don't seem large enough. Was it due to the shaping issue? Or is the syran wrap essentially weight down the dough in the fridge?

Question 3 - I didn't get a crispy outer edge either. Any thoughts on what I did wrong?