Jerusalem/Palestinian Sesame Bagels

Jerusalem Bagels or Ka'ek bel semsem as they are called in the Middle eastern countries are kind of bread that is crispy from outside yet soft and chewy from inside. These bagels are so popular in Jerusalem city the Capital Of Palestine . A common street food that you can find in old bakeries.

The making of these Palestinian sesame bagels do not include the boiling step that ordinary bagels need.Instead, they are only dipped in molases/water mix and heavily covered with sesame seeds before baking.

Sesame bread is usually eaten either alone plain or dipped in Za'atar and olive oil at breakfast meal with some Nabulsi white cheese . And believe me they taste like heaven! Sooo Yummy :)

I came across the recipe on an instagrammer friend "Nivin"from Nivin's kitchen and I was so excited to try her recipe,from the first moment! and Yess,the result was amazing Alhamdulilah :) all my family loved it .

Palestinian/Jerusalem Sesame bread

الوصفة باللغة العربيه هنا

Ingredients :

3 1/2 tsp active dry yeast+ 1/4 cup warm water
1 tbs of sugar
3 1/2 all-purpose flour,sifted
1 1/2 tsp salt
3 tbs powdered dry milk
1 cup warm water

For the topping :

1/2 cup grape or date molasses mixed with 1/2 cup water

2 cups sesame seeds.

Directions :

Dissolve the yeast and sugar in 1/4 cup warm water and let stand 10 minutes in a warm place until frothy.
Place the flour on the working surface, add salt and milk -mix until combine . Make a well in the center, and put in the yeast mixture, and 1 cup lukewarm water.
Gradually work in the flour to make a soft dough. If you have a heavy-duty mixture, it is best to knead for10 minutes with the dough hook on. until the dough is smooth and springy.
Put the dough in a floured bowl, cover with plastic wrap and a kitchen towel. let rise 1 hour.
Knead the dough few times on a lightly floured work surface, roll into a log, and divide into 8 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a tight ball and let rest under a slightly damp towel about 10 minute
Roll each ball into a 14-inch long rope.
Then form this rope into a long ring, pressing and rolling the overlapping ends together on the work surface with one hand to seal.
Dissolve the molasses in water in a bowl. Put the sesame seeds in a plate and set it next to molasses water. Dip each ring in molasses water first, and then in the sesame seeds, making sure the ring is completely and thickly coated with the seeds on all sides.
Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Place 2 rings on each baking sheets and stretch them in the desire direction. let rest 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 465 F., bake in the middle rack of the oven until golden brown.