Turkish Simit Sesame Bread Rings
Make authentic Homemade Turkish Simit with a soft, chewy dough, coat each ring in molasses and sesame seeds, and bake until golden brown. Perfect for breakfast or tea time, simit is a traditional Turkish bread similar to a sesame bagel but lighter and crispier.
Ingredients
- 5 cups all-purpose flour 600 g
- 1 tbsp instant yeast or 30 g fresh yeast
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 ½ tbsp sugar
- 200 ml milk warm
- 200 ml warm water
- 100 ml vegetable oil
For coating:
- 1½ cups sesame seeds lightly toasted for best flavor
- ¼ cup grape molasses
- ¾ cup water
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine warm water, milk, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for about 5–10 minutes until the yeast activates and foams.
- Add the oil and salt, then gradually mix in the flour.
- Knead the dough for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic. (You can use a stand mixer with a dough hook if preferred.)
- Cover the bowl with a damp cloth or plastic wrap and let it rise for about 40 minutes, or until doubled in size.
- In a shallow bowl, mix the molasses with water.
- In another wide plate, place the sesame seeds.
- (Optional but traditional) Toast the sesame seeds lightly in a dry pan until golden for extra flavor.
- Shape the simit: Punch down the dough and divide it into 10 equal pieces.
- Roll each piece into a long rope (about 40–45 cm).
- Fold the rope in half, twist the two strands together, and then connect the ends to form a ring.
- Dip each ring first into the molasses water mixture, coating both sides.
- Then roll it in the sesame seeds until fully covered.
- Place the coated simits on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Cover with a cloth and let them rest for 15 minutes for a second rise.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 200°C (390°F) for 20 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Enjoy warm with Turkish tea, white cheese feta, olives, and sliced tomatoes, cucumbers for an authentic breakfast.