Homemade Turkish Simit

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, yeast and salt.

Step 2

Gradually pour in the water and mix it with your hand. Knead it for 5 minutes or until you get a smooth and non-sticky, elastic dough.

Step 3

Alternatively, you can use a stand mixer with a dough hook for this step.

Step 4

Cover it and let it rise for about 1 hour, until it doubles in size.

Step 5

In a medium sized bowl, whisk together the molasses, water and flour. Set it aside.

Step 6

Put the sesame seeds in another bowl. Put it aside. If the sesame seeds are raw, toast them in a pan beforehand.

Step 7

When the dough doubles in size after 1 hour, punch it down and transfer on a floured surface. Shape it into a log and cut it into 6 equal pieces. And then cut each piece into two. You will have 12 pieces in total.

Step 8

Grab two pieces and roll them into a rope, 20 inches/50cm in length.

Step 9

Put these side by side and stick the ends by pinching.

Step 10

Twist in opposite directions to make a braid.

Step 11

Combine the two ends by pinching them together and make a ring.

Step 12

Repeat this for the remaining dough balls.

Step 13

Preheat the oven at 425C/220C. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and put it aside.

Step 14

Soak the simit ring into the molasses mixture first and then put it into the sesame seed bowl. Transfer onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes, until golden.