Homemade bagels, poached in a sweet water

Directions

1. Mix the flour and the yeast. ≈ 4 min
2. Mix the warm water, butter, sugar, and salt together, then gradually add the flour, starting with 200g. ≈ 4 min
3. Stir with a wooden spoon, always in the same direction, then add the remaining flour. ≈ 4 min
4. When the dough becomes too firm, knead it in a mixer or by hand for about 5 minutes. ⏱ 5 min
5. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, until it has doubled in size. ⏱ 1 hr
6. Punch the center of the dough and knead it. Divide it in half and place each half in a greased bowl. ≈ 10 min
7. Cover with a layer of oiled plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, ideally overnight, or even for two days. ⏱ 4 hr
8. Preheat the oven to 250 °C. ⏱ ≈ 10 min
9. Bring the water to a boil. ⏱ ≈ 10 min
10. Take half of the dough, knead it lightly, then cut it into 5 or 6 large pieces (or 10 to 12 small pieces). Cover them with a floured cloth. ≈ 10 min
11. Roll each piece into a ball, flatten it, and then pierce it in the center with a finger dipped in flour. Enlarge the hole by turning the dough around two fingers, until it is 5 to 6 cm in diameter. Place the ring back under the fabric. ≈ 10 min
12. In the boiling water, add the sugar and baking soda. ⏱ ≈ 10 min
13. Place 2 to 3 rings at a time: let them sit for 60 to 90 seconds, then flip them over and let them sit for another 60 to 90 seconds. ≈ 3 min
14. Drain them, place them briefly on a cloth, then quickly transfer them to a greased or parchment-lined baking sheet. ≈ 3 min
15. Coat them in beaten egg white mixed with 1 teaspoon of water, then press them into the seeds of your choice. ≈ 4 min
16. Reduce the oven temperature to 190 °C. ⏱ ≈ 35 min
17. Place the baking sheet with the rings inside the oven. ⏱ ≈ 35 min
18. Pour create steam, pour a glass of water into the oven. ⏱ ≈ 35 min
19. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, depending on the size of the rings. ⏱ 25 min
20. Turn off the oven and let the bagels sit for another 5 minutes. Open the door and let them sit for another 3 minutes. ⏱ 5 min
21. Let the bagels cool on a wire rack before eating them. ⏱ ≈ 20 min