Description
Savor the authentic taste of Turkey with homemade Simit, traditional sesame-coated bread rings that are perfectly crispy on the outside and soft inside. This recipe guides you step-by-step to create these iconic, flavorful treats that make an excellent snack or breakfast option.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough
- 4 cups all-purpose flour (sifted)
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 2 tsp instant yeast
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1.5 cups warm water (plus 1–2 tbsp if needed)
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
Coating
- 1/4 cup grape molasses
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 cups toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare the dough mixture: In the bowl of a stand mixer, sift the all-purpose flour. Add sugar, instant yeast, and kosher salt, then make a small well in the center. Pour in warm water and vegetable oil.
- Mix the dough: Attach the dough hook and mix until ingredients come together. Adjust consistency by adding a tablespoon of water if dry or a tablespoon of flour if too sticky.
- Knead the dough: Continue kneading with the dough hook for about 8 minutes until the dough is smooth and non-sticky.
- First rise: Cover the bowl with a linen towel and let the dough rise in a warm spot for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Prepare coating ingredients: Place toasted sesame seeds in a shallow dish. Whisk grape molasses and water in another bowl to create the molasses mixture.
- Shape the rings: Punch down the risen dough gently. Divide into 16 equal pieces. Roll two pieces into 20-inch-long tubes each.
- Form Simit shapes: Place two tubes parallel, pinch ends together, twist in opposite directions to form a spiral, then join ends to make a ring.
- Coat the rings: Dip each ring into the molasses mixture ensuring full coverage, then dip into sesame seeds to coat evenly.
- Second rise: Cover coated rings loosely with a linen towel and let them rise for an additional 20 minutes while preheating the oven to 400°F (204°C).
- Bake Simit: Bake the rings in the preheated oven for about 14 minutes or until golden brown and crisp.
Notes
- Ensure water used for dough is warm, not hot, to activate yeast effectively.
- Twisting two dough tubes creates the distinctive braided texture of Simit.
- Grape molasses can be substituted with pomegranate molasses if unavailable.
- Sesame seeds must be toasted to enhance flavor and texture.
- Serve Simit fresh for the best crispy exterior and soft interior experience.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Turkish
Keywords: Simit, Turkish bread, sesame bread rings, homemade simit, Turkish cuisine, bread ring recipe, sesame seed bread
