Add any variety as you please. You can choose from cinnamon, raisins, honey or sesame seeds.

INGREDIENTS

* 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
* 1 1/4 cups warm milk (110 to 115 degrees F)
* 1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
* 2 tablespoons sugar
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1 egg yolk
* 3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

DIRECTIONS

• Dissolve yeast in warm milk. Add butter, sugar, salt and egg yolk, whisking well. Add flour just enough to form a soft dough.
• Invert dough on a floured surface. Knead for 8 minutes or until smooth and elastic. Transfer in a greased bowl and turn to coat the top evenly. Cover and set aside in a warm place for an hour to double.
• Deflate dough and shape into 12 balls. Pinch the center with your thumb to create an inch-sized hole. Arrange over a floured surface and cover. Leave for 10 minutes. Press the balls until slightly flat.
• Boil water in a large saucepan. Cook the bagels one by one until it floats. Remove from pan, using a slotted spoon and transfer into a greased baking sheet. Arrange with 2-inch intervals between bagels.
• Bake bagels at 400 degrees F for 25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool over wire racks.