Pumpkin Bagels

 These are good without the topping, but excellent with the topping.  You can also top with salt, sesame seeds or pumpkin seeds to make them really good.

PUMPKIN BAGELS

(makes 8)

Bagel Ingredients:

*3 1/2 cups bread flour (550 grams) bread flour (can use all-purpose)

*1 teaspoon salt

*1/3 cup dark brown sugar (can use light brown)

*3 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

*1 teaspoon active dry yeast

*1 tablespoon molasses 

*3/4 cup pumpkin puree

*3/4 - 1 cup warm water

Hot Water Bath Ingredients:

*3 quarts water

*1 tablespoon molasses

*1 large egg white (for egg wash)

Topping Ingredients:

*1/4 cup butter

*1/2 cup all-purpose flour

*1/4 cup granulated sugar

*1/4 cup dark brown sugar

*1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

*1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Bagel Directions:

~In a large mixing bowl, add 3 1/2 cups bread flour, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/3 cup dark brown sugar,  3 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice, and 1 teaspoon active dry yeast.  Whisk until well blended.

~Stir in 1 tablespoon molasses, and 3/4 cup pumpkin puree.

~Stir in 3/4 cup warm water (add another 1/4 if dough is to dry).

~Cover bowl and allow to rest for 30 minutes.

~Shape dough into a ball, cover and allow to rest for 1-2 hours or doubled in size.

~Press down on dough to deflate it.

~Form into another ball, cover and refrigerate for 4-24 hours.

Hot Water Bath Directions:

~Bring 3 quarts of water to a boil.

~Stir in 1 tablespoon molasses.

Topping Directions:

~In a small bowl, partially melt 1/4 cup butter in microwave.

~Add 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 1/4 cup dark brown sugar, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg together, until it becomes crumbly (do not over mix).

Making Bagels:

~Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

~Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper or silicone liners.

~Flour a 8x10 inch baking dish or another cookie sheet.

~Divide dough into 8 equal parts.

~Roll each piece into a ball.

~Gently poke finger through the middle of a dough ball and start stretching to make a large hole in the middle of the bagel.

~Place in floured baking dish (dust both sides and inside of bagel with four).

~Put egg white into a small bowl.

~Stretch out each bagel once more as you drop the into the boiling water (the hole would be really large).

~Boil for 1 minute on each side.

~Remove bagel from boiling water with a slotted spoon shaking of any excess water.

~Place on prepared cookie sheet.

~Brush each top of bagel liberally with egg wash.

~Gently press topping over each bagel.

~Bake in preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes or until browned.

~Place onto a cooling rack.