Cold Winter Day Baking Traditional Turkish Sesame Breads ... ❄️🔥🍞

all-purpose flour

🥗Healthier: whole wheat flour

💰Cheaper: bread flour

Whole wheat flour adds fiber and nutrients while bread flour enhances chewiness.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: vegetable oil

Avocado oil is healthier, while vegetable oil is often less expensive.

milk

🥗Healthier: almond milk

💰Cheaper: water

Almond milk is dairy-free, while water can reduce costs.

sesame seeds

🥗Healthier: chia seeds

💰Cheaper: sunflower seeds

Chia seeds are nutritious, while sunflower seeds can be more affordable.

In a mixing bowl, combine 1 and 1/2 cups warm water, 2 teaspoons sugar, and 2 teaspoons active dry yeast; stir and let sit for about 5-10 minutes until frothy.

In a large mixing bowl, add 4 cups of all-purpose flour and 1 teaspoon salt; mix together.

Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and pour in the yeast mixture, 1/4 cup olive oil, and 1 tablespoon lemon juice; mix until a dough forms.

Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 10 minutes until it is smooth and elastic.

Place the kneaded dough in a greased bowl, cover with a kitchen towel, and let it rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).

After the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into equal pieces, shaping each piece into a ball.

Flatten each ball slightly and dip it in a mixture of 1/4 cup milk and 1 beaten egg.

Coat the top of each flattened ball with 1/2 cup sesame seeds, pressing gently to adhere.

Place the coated breads on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of poppy seeds and 1 tablespoon of black cumin seeds if desired.

Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes until golden brown and crisp.

Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens