Place the warm water into a small bowl, whisk in the maple syrup. Then add in the yeast and gently stir.

Allow yeast mixture to sit for 5 to 10 minutes to proof, it should get foamy.

In the bowl of your stand mixer, whisk together 4 cups of flour and 2 teaspoons of salt. Attach the dough hook to your stand mixer.

Pour the yeast mixture into the middle of the bowl with the flour mixture.

Mix on low speed until the ingredients are just incorporated. Then mix on medium speed for another 5 minutes, or until the dough is moist and it pulls away from the side of the bowl.

Remove the dough from the mixer and place it on a lightly floured surface (use the remaining ¼ cup set aside). Knead the dough until it is smooth roughly 3-5 minutes, incorporating in the remaining ¼ cup of flour while kneading.

Form the dough into a ball and place it into a bowl greased with the 1 teaspoon of oil, roll the dough ball around until it is covered in oil. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and place it in a warm, draft free spot. Allow the dough to rise for an hour or until it has doubled in size.

After the dough has risen, punch it down and allow it to rest for 10 minutes.

While the dough is resting, line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.

Divide the dough evenly into 8 pieces shaping into balls.

Press your finger into the middle of each dough all to make a hole about 2 inches in diameter.

Place the formed bagels onto a baking sheet and cover with a damp towel. Allow dough to rest for 10-15 minutes while you prepare the water bath.

In a large pot, add the water, honey, and baking soda and bring it to a boil.

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

Boil 2-3 bagels at a time (if you can do this without overcrowding the pot). Boil bagels on one side for 1 minute, then flip them and boil for another minute.

Using a slotted spoon remove the bagels from the boiling water, place them on the parchment paper lined baking sheet (4 per sheet).

Whisk together the egg and water for the egg wash, brush each bagel lightly with the egg wash. Then add desired toppings such as sesame seeds, everything bagel seasoning and coarse salt, if desired.

Place the bagels in the oven and for 20 minutes or until golden brown.

Then remove them to a wire rack to cool completely.