Easy Simit (Turkish sesame bagel)

Step 1/6

• 60 ml water
• 1⅜ g active dry yeast
• ¼ tbsp sugar
• 100 g flour
• ¼ tsp salt
• 6 ml olive oil

• stand mixer with dough hook
• kitchen towel

Add 300 g of lukewarm water, dried yeast and sugar to the bowl of a stand mixer. With the mixer running on low, add in the flour, salt and olive oil. Mix for 8 min. or until a smooth dough has formed (or knead by hand for 10 min.). Cover the dough and let rest for 30 min.

Step 2/6

• 120 ml water
• 24 g honey
• 40 g sesame seeds

• 2 baking dishes
• whisk

For the water bath: Add the rest of the water and honey to a shallow baking dish. Mix until dissolved. Add sesame seeds to a separate baking dish.

Step 3/6

• pastry cutter

To shape the simit: Deflate the dough and divide into 10 equal pieces (the easiest way to do this is by weighing each ball out). Roll each piece into a round ball, cover and rest for 10 min.

Step 4/6

• oven

Preheat the oven to 250°C/480°F. Work with two dough balls at a time and roll each ball into a 30 cm long rope. Braid the two ropes together, and pinch the ends together to create a ring. Lightly roll out the ring with your hand, creating a 15-20 cm large diameter.

Step 5/6

• 2 baking sheets
• parchment paper
• 2 kitchen towels

Prepare two baking sheets with parchment paper. Dip the ring into the honey water, and then transfer to sesame seeds. Make sure the ring is completely covered in sesame seeds before transferring to baking sheet with parchment paper. Repeat with remaining rings. Let the rings rest for 45 min.

Step 6/6

Add the simit to the oven and immediately reduce temperature to 230°C/440°F. Bake for a total of 20-25 min., rotating the sheets halfway through. Remove from oven and serve warm with cream cheese, butter or plain.

Enjoy your meal!