👨‍🍳 Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking.

👨‍🍳 In a large mixing bowl, combine the unbleached all-purpose flour and baking powder, whisking them together to ensure even distribution.

👨‍🍳 Next, add the cottage cheese to the dry ingredients and mix until a soft, cohesive dough forms.

👨‍🍳 If the dough seems too dry, a few tablespoons of water or milk can be added, but it’s best to avoid over-mixing to maintain a tender texture.

👨‍🍳 Once the dough is ready, gently shape it into 8 equal-sized balls, about 1.5 inches in diameter.

👨‍🍳 Roll each ball into a log shape, approximately 6 inches long, and then form each log into a ring.

👨‍🍳 Use your thumb to create a hole in the center of each ring, ensuring it’s large enough for a proper bagel shape but not so big that the structure collapses during baking.

👨‍🍳 Place the shaped bagels on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 1 inch of space between each one.

👨‍🍳 Brush the tops lightly with the beaten egg wash to give them a beautiful golden color.

👨‍🍳 If you’re using optional toppings, sprinkle them generously over the bagels.

👨‍🍳 Bake for 15-18 minutes or until golden brown.

👨‍🍳 Allow to cool on baking sheet for a few minutes before serving.