Patrice, how and when to top a bagel could be a blog post of its own, as it varies based on the recipe, the temperature of the oven, and the variety topping you're using. In general, I top my bagels right after they are boiled and leave the toppings on for the entire duration of the bake. But if you're using something delicate that might burn like dried onion, sesame seeds, or cinnamon-sugar, you might want to consider adding the toppings halfway through. (Alternately, you can place a baking sheet over the tops of the bagels to prevent them from becoming scorched about halfway through the bake.)

There's also a plethora of options for how to make the toppings adhere to bagels. Some people spritz their bagels with liquid, some use a molasses and water dip, and some even brush the dough with egg wash. The simplest of all the options, by far, is to use the residual moisture from the water bath to keep the toppings in place and add them right away. Give it a try and see if this straightforward option works for you. If not, give our Baker's Hotline a call at 855-371-2253(BAKE) if you'd like more advice.

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