Dissolve yeast in 1 cup warm water in large mixing bowl. Stir in sugar, salt, and 1 2/4 cups of flour. Beat till smooth. Stir in remaining flour. Turn dough onto lightly floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic (about 10 minutes). Place in greased bowl; turn greased side up. Turn over and let rise in warm place until double (about 15 minutes). Dough is ready if an indentation remains when touched. Punch down dough; divide into 8 equal parts. Roll each part into a rope 6 inches long; moisten ends with water and pinch together to form a gel...or, shape each part into a smooth ball; punch hole in center and roll gently to enlarge hole and make uniform shape. Let rise 20 minutes. Heat oven to 375 deg. Heat 2 qts. Water to boiling in large kettle. Reduce heat. Add 4 bagels. Simmer 7 minutes, turning once. Drain on kitchen towel. Repeat with remaining bagels, simmering four at a time. **Variation** Egg Bagels total amount of flour to 4 Cups. Knead 5 minutes. Let rise until double (about 45 minutes) Divide dough into 16 equal parts; shape; and let rise as directed. Add 2 T sugar to boiling water. Simmer 4 minutes, turning once. Beat 1 egg yolk and 1 T. water slightly; brush over simmering bagels. Bake as directed. - makes 16 bagels - from "Betty Crocker's Breads, "(C) General Mills, 1974, pub. By lden Press.