California Bagels Recipe (with Video)

1. Mix the warm water, sugar and yeast together and set it to the side for 5 minutes
2. In a separate bowl, mix the flour and salt together.
3. Pour the yeast mixture into your flour, stir until a dough forms.
4. Knead the dough until the dough forms a smooth ball. This should take about 5 minutes.
5. Place the dough ball in an oiled bowl and cover with a damp towel for about an hour or until the dough doubles in size.
6. After an hour, split the dough into 4 separate pieces and roll each piece into a ball. Form the balls into bagel shapes by pressing your thumbs into the center.
7. Lay your bagels on a parchment lined baking sheet. Brush the tops with egg wash. Top with your favorite toppings (optional)
8. Cook in a preheated oven at 410 degrees F for 20 minutes or until the bread reaches your desired brownness.
9. Serve with Cream Cheese (optional)