Place a dough hook onto a stand mixer. Into the bowl of the mixer, add yeast, sugar, flour and salt (in that order). Pour the warm (110 degree) water slowly into the bowl, with machine on low and mix on low for 3-4 minutes to fully incorporate the ingredients together. Once fully combined, increase the speed on the mixer to Medium. Continue kneading the dough on Medium speed for 10 minutes.

Lightly flour a large work surface. Punch down the dough to deflate it, and remove it from the mixer bowl to the floured surface. Cover dough with dish towel; let it rest for 10 minutes.

Dive the dough into 8 equal sized pieces. Using your fingers, flatten each dough ball (to help get rid of air bubbles). Roll each piece into a ball, working the seams toward the underside of each ball with your fingers. Press your finger through the middle of each dough ball, Stretch the hole out a bit, as you form the bagel shape. Place each formed bagel onto parchment paper (or lined baking sheet). Let them rest for another 10 minutes (it's HARD work being bagel dough!)

While the dough is "resting", mix the topping ingredients together into a small bowl. Add more, as desired. Set topping aside.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Bring a large pan of water to a rolling boil, then reduce heat to a simmer/low boil.

Carefully put two bagels at a time into the lightly boiling water. Cook for 1 minute. Flip the bagels over; cook for another minute. Remove to baking sheet. While bagels are wet, sprinkle the top with spice mixture, pressing lightly to adhere spices to bagel.

Repeat process with remaining bagels until all are done, and ready to bake.

Bake bagels at 425 degrees for 22-26 minutes (my oven took the full 26 minutes). Bagels should be light golden brown when done. Remove bagels to wire rack to cool slightly, then serve.

Enjoy!