Description
This Turkish Bread is soft, fluffy, and lightly golden with a crisp crust and a sesame-topped finish. Perfect for sandwiches, dipping into soups, or serving alongside your favorite Mediterranean dishes, this homemade bread combines the richness of yogurt and olive oil with fragrant sesame and nigella seeds for an authentic taste.
Ingredients
Dough
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon instant yeast
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1½ teaspoons salt
- 1¼ cups warm water
- ¼ cup plain yogurt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Topping
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 1 tablespoon nigella seeds (optional)
Instructions
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the flour, instant yeast, sugar, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agent and seasonings.
- Add wet ingredients: Pour in the warm water, plain yogurt, and olive oil, then mix until the ingredients come together to form a rough dough.
- Knead the dough: Transfer to a lightly floured surface and knead for 8–10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic, which develops gluten for a nice bread structure.
- First rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in size to ensure a light and airy texture.
- Preheat oven: Set your oven to 425°F (220°C) so it’s hot and ready to bake the bread immediately after shaping.
- Shape the loaf: Gently punch down the dough and shape it into a large round or oval loaf, then place it onto a baking tray lined with parchment paper for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking.
- Decorate the surface: Use your fingertips to gently press and create a crisscross pattern on the dough’s surface for a traditional look and texture.
- Apply glaze and seeds: Brush the top of the dough with a mixture of egg yolk and milk, which will give the bread a shiny golden finish. Sprinkle sesame seeds and optionally nigella seeds over the top for added flavor and crunch.
- Bake: Place the tray in the preheated oven and bake for 20–25 minutes until the bread is golden brown and crusty on the outside, and cooked through inside.
- Cool and serve: Let the bread cool slightly on a wire rack before slicing, allowing the crumb to set for better texture and easier cutting. Serve warm with butter, olive oil, or your favorite Mediterranean accompaniments.
Notes
- Best enjoyed warm with butter, olive oil, or hummus for authentic flavor.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days to keep it fresh.
- Freeze the loaf for up to 2 months; thaw at room temperature before reheating.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Turkish
