Simit (Turkish Sesame Bread Rings)

Ingredients

• Bread flour 500 g
• Warm water 300 ml
• Active dry yeast and sugar 1.5 tsp yeast (6 g), 1 tsp sugar
• Salt 1.5 tsp (9 g)
• Sunflower oil 1 tbsp
• Grape molasses (pekmez) 100 ml
• Water, for the molasses dip 200 ml
• Sesame seeds, toasted 150 g

Instructions

1. 1

   Mix the flour, yeast, sugar, salt, oil and warm water and knead for 10 minutes into a firm, smooth dough; cover and let rise for 1 hour.

2. 2

   Divide the dough into 8 pieces and roll each into a rope about 70 cm long.

3. 3

   Fold each rope in half, twist the two strands together and join the ends into a ring about 15 cm across.

4. 4

   Stir the molasses into the 200 ml of water in a wide bowl and spread the sesame seeds on a plate.

5. 5

   Dip each ring in the molasses water, then press it into the sesame seeds on both sides so it is thickly coated.

6. 6

   Place on a lined tray, let rest for 15 minutes and heat the oven to 220C.

7. 7

   Bake for 18-20 minutes, until deep golden brown, and cool on a rack.