THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE ARE HOMEMADE…

by Dea Castrejon

I am so  excited to share with you today’s recipe for our 30 ways in 30 days’ uses for granola.  As I have shared in a previous post, I feel most like a fancy-schmancy baker when I am making breads of some sort, so I am very proud of this bagel recipe.  I will be frank to admit that this was my first time making bagels, but it will certainly not be my last!

I came across this recipe through a pinterest search (big surprise!) that led me to “A Beautiful Mess,”  a blog and women’s lifestyle company owned by Elsie Larson and Emma Chapman.  These talented ladies, along with their awesome team, share wonderful (and extremely helpful) ideas in the DIY world…everything from recipes, to one-of-a-kind-home decor, to photography, etc.  Ummmm, thank you for hookin’ a sister up!  So, in addition to the bagel recipe below, I urge y’all to check out the rest of their website!

Granola Chocolate Chip Bagels

*Yields 6-8 bagels

1 1/3 cup warm water
1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons active dry yeast
3 1/4 cups bread flour
1/8 cup cocoa powder (use 1/4 cup for a more chocolate-y taste)
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup Granola Factory’s All Natural Honey Pecan granola
2 tablespoons honey

In a small bowl, dissolve sugar in warm water.  Add the yeast and let this sit for 5-10 minutes until it is slightly bubbly and activated.

In a bigger mixing bowl, combine flour, cocoa powder, salt, and chocolate chips.

Pour yeast mixture into the dry mixture and bring together (it will appear crumbly at first).  Move dough onto a clean, floured surface and knead with your hands for about 6 minutes or just throw it into your mixer with the dough attachment, if you’d like.  After kneading, the dough should possess some elasticity to it.

Lightly oil a mixing bowl (I use canola oil), and place your kneaded dough there.  Cover and let this rise for about an hour.

Turn dough onto a floured surface and divide it into 6-8 equal pieces.  Figure each piece of dough into a ball, flatten it slightly, and then use your finger to make your bagel hole in the center of your dough.  Repeat for the remaining pieces and let rest for 10 minutes.

While bagels are resting, preheat your oven to 425ºF.  Next, bring a pot of water to a boil.  Place 1 or 2 bagels into the boiling water for about 1 minute each side.  Remove and set bagels on a parchment lined baking sheet.  Repeat until you have done this to all the bagels.

Pour honey into a small ramekin. Heat in the microwave for 10-15 seconds (just to slightly thin it out).  Brush bagels with honey and sprinkle on the granola.

Bake in the oven for 20 minutes, and “Voilà!”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As Emma and Elsie mention on their blog, “We believe that the best things in life are homemade.”  Here at the Granola Factory, we could not agree more!

Enjoy these fabulous bagels with cream cheese, or my favorite way: peanut butter, thin slices of banana, and a drizzle of honey!

*** Recipe adapted from A Beautiful Mess