Here's something I've been trying lately. I've been making two batches as well, but the second batch I roll into a long skinny log and then cut into 12 equal slices. I hand roll each into a ball. The balls are then boiled for about a minute in a bath of 2 quarts water and 1/3 cup of baking soda. Out of the water they are placed on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Bake for 25 minutes at 425 and you get 1 dozen bagel balls. The boiling bath changes the texture into a chewy bagel. For variations I've dusted the top with cinnamon and sugar before baking.