Combine 1 cup warm water with yeast and brown sugar. Mix and set aside for 5 minutes.

Combine the dry ingredients in a large bowl. add in yeast mixture and up to an additional 1/2 cup of water to make the dough come together. Knead the dough for 10-15 minutes.

Line A baking sheets with parchment paper.

Divide the dough into 6 equal pieces. Shape each portion into a round ball with your hands and place on your prepared baking sheets. Cover the pans with cling wrap or a dish towel and place in a warm place to rise for an hour.

After the dough balls have risen, take your thumb and make a hole in the center of each ball, gently spread the hole out to shape the dough into bagel shapes.

Fill a large wide pot about 2/3 of the way with water and bring to a boil. Once the water starts simmering, add in about 1/2 cup of brown sugar.

Once the water is boiling, use a spatula to gently drop the bagels into the boiling water one at a time.

Boil for about 1 minute before flipping over to the other side and boiling for another minute.

After they have boiled, place them on the second baking sheet.

If desired, you can place toppings on the top of your bagels. Simply sprinkle your desired seasonings over the top of the bagels and gently press on them so that they stick to the wet bagel. I love everything bagel seasoning, cheese, or cinnamon sugar!

Cook the bagels at 425 for 10 to 12 minutes, rotating the pans halfway through.

Allow the bagels to cool before slicing and serving with your desired spreads!