Simit

Ingredients for Braided Turkish Simit For the Dough: 1 cup warm milk (200 ml) 1/2 cup warm water (125 ml) 1 tablespoon butter 1 teaspoon instant yeast 1 teaspoon sugar 1 teaspoon salt 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour For the Topping: Toasted sesame seeds 1/2 cup molasses (60 ml) 1/2 cup water (125 ml) Instructions: In a large bowl, knead together warm water, warm milk, sugar, salt, flour, and instant yeast to form the dough. Once the dough comes together, add butter and continue kneading until the butter is fully incorporated and the dough is smooth. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and a clean cloth, let it rest for about 1 hour until it rises. After the dough has risen, place it on a floured surface, knead it a bit more, and shape it into a ball. Divide the dough into 8 equal parts. Roll each part into a ball by hand. Roll out each ball into a 35-40 cm long rope. Fold the ropes in half and twist them together. Join the two ends of the twisted dough and shape it into a circle. Repeat for the other pieces. Mix molasses and water in a bowl. Dip the prepared bagels into the molasses water, then coat them with toasted sesame seeds. Arrange them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving some space between each. Let the braided bagels rest for 15-20 minutes for final proofing. Preheat the oven to 200°C (392°F) and bake the bagels for 25 minutes or until they turn golden brown. Once baked, your braided Turkish bagels are ready to be served. Enjoy!