Honey Whole Wheat Bagels

Ever since our dear mother came home from the grocery store with strawberry cream cheese, I 've been dying to make bagels.  I used a recipe from Heavenly Homemakers.

So I set out yesterday with my ever-present personal sous chef, Melissa Anne.  (who just turned 4, by the way!)

Here she is kneading bagel dough.

  

While I did this...

...it appears that my companion had tired of her culinary duties!

(*cough* it was time to clean up *cough*)

First you broil, then boil, then bake!

Meanwhile Melissa Anne took her dog, Doggy, and her cat, Kitty for a little walk.  

With a towel on her head. 

Ahh, the finished product.  Please enjoy toasted, with strawberry cream cheese!

Honey Whole Wheat Bagels
4  to 4 1/2  cups whole wheat flour (I use freshly ground flour from hard white wheat)
1 pkg yeast (2 1/4 t.)
1 1/2 cups warm water (if you put your finger in and it hurts, it’s too hot and will kill your yeast)
3 T. honey + 1 T. honey
1 t. sea salt
Stir together 2 cups of the flour, the salt and the yeast.  Add in the warm water and 3 T. honey.  Gradually add in the remaining flour.

Dump it out and knead the flour in until the dough is smooth and elastic. 
Cover the dough and let it take a nap for about 10 minutes. Divide the dough into twelve equal parts.

Set a timer for 20 minutes.  Begin shaping each piece of dough into a nice ball.  Stick your finger in the middle of the ball and pull it apart to create about a 2 inch hole.   

Lay it onto a buttered cookie sheet or baking stone.
Continue until all the bagels are formed.  Let them sit until your timer goes off.

After your 20 minute timer goes off, turn the broiler on in your oven.
Broil your bagels for 2 minutes on each side.

Meanwhile…bring a big pot of water to a boil.  Stir in the remaining 1 T. honey.

Put 4-6 bagels into the water, turn down the heat and
simmer for seven minutes, turning the bagels over once during that time.

Continue to boil your bagels until they are all done.
Let them drain on a towel.

Bake at 375 ° for 25-30 minutes or until the tops are golden brown.