Maple French Toast Bagel

Step 1

In a small bowl, combine warm water, dry active yeast, and brown sugar. Stir and set aside.

Step 2

In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, mix together 4 1/2 cups of bread flour, 1/4 cup brown sugar, salt, and cinnamon chips.

Step 3

Add the foamy and bubbly yeast mixture to the dry ingredients along with the maple flavoring. If your yeast isn’t bubbly and foamy, your yeast isn’t activated (It could be that your water was too cold, too hot or your yeast is old). Throw that out and try again if it isn’t bubbly and foamy.

Step 4

Using a Stand Mixer Attach the dough hook and knead for 10 minutes, adding up to 1/2 cup of extra flour to maintain a soft, workable dough.

Step 5

By Hand: Stir the dry ingredients into the yeast mixture until a shaggy dough forms. Transfer the dough onto a clean surface and knead by hand for 10 minutes. Add extra flour as needed. Knead by pushing, turning, and folding the dough repeatedly.

Step 6

After kneading, let the dough rest for 5 minutes.

Step 7

Use a sharp knife or bench scraper to divide the dough into 8 equal pieces (cut the dough in half, then each half in half again, and then once more).

Step 8

Form each piece of dough into a tight ball. Press your thumb into the center of each ball, squeezing and rotating the dough around your thumb to create the bagel shape. Place on a parchment or silicone-lined 3/4 cookie sheet.

Step 9

Cover the cookie sheet with plastic wrap and allow the bagels to rise for 20 minutes.

Step 10

Set the oven to 425°F after the bagels have risen for 20 minutes.

Step 11

In a large pot, bring about 4 inches of water to a rolling boil.

Step 12

While the water is coming to a boil, make the egg wash by whisking together the egg, milk, granulated sugar and vanilla. Set aside.

Step 13

Carefully drop the risen bagels into the water, doing so in batches if necessary. Boil each bagel for 1 minute, flip, then boil for another minute. Use a slotted spoon or spider strainer to remove the bagels and place them back on the cookie sheet.

Step 14

After the bagels have been boiled, brush each bagel with the egg wash mixture.

Step 15

Bake the bagels in the preheated oven for 15-17 minutes, or until golden brown.

Step 16

Let the bagels cool for 10 minutes before cutting. Serve and enjoy!

Step 17

Store the bagels in a zip-top bag at room temperature for up to 3 days.