Description
Simit bread from Turkey wraps your taste buds in a warm, sesame-crusted hug that connects you directly to Istanbul’s street corner traditions. Crispy rings packed with cultural charm make breakfast or snack time an authentic adventure straight from Turkish bakeries.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup warm water
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
Leavening and Sweeteners:
- 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- ¼ cup molasses
Seasoning and Finishing:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ cup sesame seeds
- ½ cup cold water
Instructions
- Activate the yeast by stirring 1 tablespoon of sugar into 1 cup of warm water at 110F, and watch the mixture become frothy within 5-10 minutes.
- Mix 4 cups of flour with 1 teaspoon of salt in a large bowl, creating a central well for liquid ingredients.
- Pour the frothy yeast mixture and ¼ cup vegetable oil into the flour well, combining until a rough dough forms.
- Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until your dough feels smooth and stretchy.
- Shape the dough into a ball, place in an oiled bowl, and let it rise in a warm spot for 1-1.5 hours until it doubles in size.
- Gently deflate the risen dough and return it to your floured workspace.
- Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces using a sharp knife or dough scraper.
- Roll each piece into a 12-14 inch rope, then shape into a circle by connecting the ends and pinching them together.
- Arrange the shaped Simit on a parchment-lined baking sheet and cover with a kitchen towel for 30 minutes.
- Whisk ¼ cup molasses with ½ cup cold water in a shallow dish.
- Spread ½ cup sesame seeds in another shallow dish for coating.
- Heat your oven to 425F and prepare for baking.
- Dunk each Simit into the molasses mixture, then roll thoroughly in sesame seeds.
- Return the coated Simit to the baking sheet, ensuring they’re not touching.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes until your Simit turns a deep golden brown and looks crispy.
- Transfer to a wire rack and let cool for several minutes before serving warm.
Notes
- Make absolutely certain the yeast is fresh and active, or your Simit won’t rise properly.
- Knead the dough thoroughly to develop strong gluten that gives the bread its signature chewy texture.
- Brush the molasses mixture generously to help sesame seeds stick and create a beautiful golden-brown crust.
- For a dairy-free version, replace the vegetable oil with olive oil, which adds a subtle Mediterranean flavor to your Simit.
- Prep Time: 2 hours
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Category: Breads
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Turkish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 239 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 186 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 39 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg