Bagels with sesame seeds

Here's how:

• 1

  Crumble the yeast into a bowl and dissolve it in water at 20 °C. Stir in the syrup and salt, then gradually work in the flour. Work and knead the dough thoroughly on a floured surface.

• 2

  Put the dough back in the bowl and let it rise for about 1 hour, covered with a kitchen towel.

• 3

  Take the risen dough and divide it into 12 equal pieces, then roll each piece into a strand about 30 cm long. Make the ends slightly narrower and twist them together. Place the wreaths on a floured sheet of parchment paper.

• 4

  Preheat the oven to 225 °C. Bring the water and sugar to a boil in a saucepan. Add 2–3 rings at a time and let them simmer for about 3 minutes. Turn them over once or twice while they’re cooking.

• 5

  Remove the bread with a slotted spoon and place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Sprinkle with seeds and bake in the center of the oven for about 20 minutes. Let them cool on a wire rack.