Cheddar, jalapeños, and macaroni create filled bagels with spicy, cheesy comfort and irresistible flavor.
# Components:
→ Bagel Dough
01 - 3 ½ cups bread flour
02 - 1 tablespoon sugar
03 - 1 ½ teaspoons salt
04 - 1 packet instant dry yeast (7 g)
05 - 1 ¼ cups warm water
→ Boiling Solution
06 - 2 quarts water
07 - 2 tablespoons honey or barley malt syrup
08 - 1 tablespoon baking soda
→ Mac and Cheese Filling
09 - 1 cup elbow macaroni
10 - 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
11 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
12 - 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
13 - 1 cup whole milk
14 - ½ teaspoon mustard powder
15 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper
16 - 1–2 jalapeños, seeded and finely chopped
→ Topping
17 - 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
18 - 1 jalapeño, thinly sliced
# Directions:
01 - Combine bread flour, sugar, salt, and instant dry yeast in a large mixing bowl. Gradually add warm water, stirring to form a shaggy dough. Knead by hand or using a stand mixer for 7 to 8 minutes, until the dough is smooth and elastic. Cover and allow dough to rise in a warm area until doubled in size, approximately 60 to 90 minutes.
02 - Cook elbow macaroni in boiling water according to package instructions; drain and set aside. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat, and stir in all-purpose flour, cooking for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in whole milk, stirring until thickened, roughly 3 to 5 minutes. Add mustard powder and black pepper. Remove from heat; stir in shredded cheddar cheese until melted. Fold in cooked macaroni and chopped jalapeños. Allow mixture to cool to room temperature.
03 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Punch down the risen dough and divide into 8 equal portions. Flatten each piece into a disc, place 2 to 3 tablespoons of cooled mac and cheese filling in the center, and pinch dough around the filling to seal. Create a hole in the center with your finger, gently stretching into a bagel shape.
04 - In a large pot, bring 2 quarts of water to a boil. Add honey or barley malt syrup and baking soda. Boil bagels two at a time for 1 minute per side. Remove each with a slotted spoon and transfer to the prepared baking sheet.
05 - Sprinkle each bagel with shredded cheddar cheese and arrange thinly sliced jalapeño on top.
06 - Bake in the preheated oven for 18 to 22 minutes until golden brown and cheese is melted and bubbling. Cool on a wire rack before serving.
