Acma - Turkish Style Soft Bagels

Living in Turkey, you never really think about making Açma because you can just go to the bakery and buy them hot and fresh whenever you have a taste for them. Well, it has been a long time and I have found myself craving these delightful pastries. Açma – Turkish style bagel or soft rolled bread is a savoury. It’s a soft dough that is in a twist and rolled up in the shape of a bagel and baked.

It’s so good when freshly made and served at breakfast, they will stay soft for the day but must be served the same day. You can add filling like olive or cheese or leave it plain. 

INGREDIENTS

• 42 gr. fresh yeast (1 pack)
• 1 tablespoons sugar
• 1 cup warm milk
• 4 cups flour (you may need an extra 1 or 2 more cup while kneading)
• 1/2 tablespoon salt
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup warm water
• 100 gr. butter at room temperature (optional)
• For the top: 1 egg yolk, sesame seeds, black cumin seeds.

METHOD

1. In a small bowl combine fresh yeast, sugar and milk, stir. Cover with a towel and rest for 3-5 min to allow the yeast to foam on top. This your yeast mixture
2. Mix together salt, vegetable oil, water, your yeast mixture in a large bowl.
3. Gradually add flour and start to knead until dough forms a ‘funnel’ and dough is formed, the dough will be sticky and soft.
4. Grease bowl, cover with plastic wrap and tea towel, allow to rise for an hour in a warm place to be smooth, silky and fluffy dough.
5. Once doubled in size, grab lemon sized pieces out of the dough and form smooth balls within your palms
6. Place each ball on the kitchen counter and make a flat piece about the size of your palm. 
7. If you are adding butter, place a generous amount of butter on flat dough
8. Roll and twist the dough from one side to form a tube about 25 cm. Then curl in the middle and twist again and seal the ends to make a roll. Repeat until all the dough is finished.  
9. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper,
10. Brush with egg yolk, sprinkle sesame seeds and black cumin seeds on top
11. Cover and let rest for 20-25 mins
12. Preheat your oven to 180C (160 fan) or gas mark 4 and bake until golden brown for about 20 min.