Gevrek (Bulgarian Sesame Bread Ring)
A crusty, chewy sesame-crusted bread ring found in bakeries across Bulgaria - part of a shared Balkan and Ottoman baking tradition also known as simit in Turkey - dipping the shaped rings in molasses syrup before coating them in sesame seeds is what makes the crust turn deeply toasted and shatteringly crisp instead of just lightly seeded.
⏱ 60 min🍽 8 servings
breakfastbakingvegan
Ingredients
- •4 cups flour
- •2 1/4 tsp yeast
- •1 tsp sugar
- •1 1/3 cups warm water
- •2 tbsp vegetable oil
- •1 1/2 tsp salt
- •1/2 cup molasses
- •1 cup water (for the molasses dip)
- •1 1/2 cups sesame seeds
Steps
- 1.Dissolve the yeast and sugar in the warm water and let sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
- 2.Mix the flour and salt in a large bowl, add the yeast mixture and oil, and knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- 3.Cover and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour, until doubled in size.
- 4.Punch down the dough and divide into 8 pieces. Roll each piece into a long rope, then join the ends to form a ring.
- 5.Whisk the molasses with the 1 cup of water in a shallow dish.
- 6.Dip each ring into the molasses mixture, coating it fully, then press both sides into the sesame seeds - the molasses dip is what makes the sesame crust toast deeply and turn shatteringly crisp in the oven, rather than just lightly browning.
- 7.Place the coated rings on a baking sheet, cover loosely, and let rest for 15-20 minutes.
- 8.Preheat the oven to 400°F and bake for 20-25 minutes, until deep golden brown and crisp.
- 9.Let cool slightly before serving, traditionally with yogurt or ayran.