Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast and sugar in the warm water. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
- Add the bread flour and salt to the yeast mixture.
- Mix with a wooden spoon or your hands until a shaggy dough forms.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes, or until the dough is smooth and elastic. Use a stand mixer with a dough hook for about 6-8 minutes on medium speed if preferred.
- Gently knead in the chocolate chips until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning to coat.
- Cover with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
- Punch down the dough to release the air.
- Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces.
- Roll each piece into a rope about 8-10 inches long.
- Bring the ends of the rope together to form a circle, overlapping the ends by about an inch.
- Press down firmly on the overlapped area to seal the bagel.
- Place the shaped bagels on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rise for 30 minutes.
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Bring the water and honey (or malt syrup) to a boil in a large pot.
- Carefully drop the bagels, one or two at a time, into the boiling water.
- Boil for 1 minute per side.
- Remove the bagels with a slotted spoon and place them back on the prepared baking sheet.
- If desired, brush the bagels with egg wash and sprinkle with extra chocolate chips.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Let the bagels cool on a wire rack before slicing and enjoying.
Notes
Store bagels in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, freeze them for up to 2 months. Slice before freezing for easy toasting. For a cinnamon swirl, incorporate 1-2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon into the dough. Try adding chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds for a nice crunch. Experiment with different chocolate chips like white chocolate or dark chocolate.
