foolproofliving

0 Activate the yeast: Place water, milk, sugar, and active dry yeast into a measuring cup. Give it a quick whisk, cover it with stretch film, and let it sit on the counter for 10 to 15 minutes or until bubbles form on top.
1 Make the dough: Place 5 cups (700 grams) of all-purpose flour, kosher salt, oil, egg, and now-risen yeast-milk mixture in a large mixing bowl. Start mixing by hand until it comes together. Lightly dust the counter with flour and transfer the dough onto the surface. Knead by hand to form a smooth and elastic dough until the dough is not sticking to your fingers. This may take around 15 -17 minutes.
2 Let the simit dough rise: Lightly wet a kitchen towel with hot tap water and place it over the dough. Let it sit on the kitchen counter until it doubles in size, 30-45 minutes.
3 Toast the sesame seeds: While the dough is rising, place sesame seeds in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat, stirring constantly, and toast until they turn golden brown, 20-25 minutes. Transfer into a large shallow plate to cool.
4 Roll The Dough into a Cylinder: Fold the dough from each end onto itself towards the middle, gently pinch, and roll into a cylinder of roughly 20-inches (51 cm.)
5 Divide: Using a sharp knife or a pastry scraper, divide the dough into 10 equal pieces, transfer onto a sheet pan (lined with parchment paper), and cover it with a clean kitchen towel (to prevent them from drying as you work on each piece)
6 Preheat the oven to 400 F degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
7 Shape the dough and let it rest: Roll each dough ball into a roughly 40-inch (102 cm) long strand. Fold the string onto itself using your finger to hold it in the middle. Twist the dough in the opposite direction to form a spiral rope. Roll it into a 5-inch diameter ring and gently pinch the end to seal.
8 Let it rise: Transfer the now-shaped simits onto the parchment-lined baking sheet. Repeat the same process for the rest of the dough balls. Let them rest until they rise for 30 minutes. How much they rise depends on the temperature of your kitchen. 
9 Dip: Mix together molasses with water in a large shallow plate. Bring in the sesame seeds. First, dip simit into the molasses mixture (on both sides) and then into the sesame seeds making sure that all sides are fully covered with sesame seeds. Transfer onto a baking sheet and repeat the same process for the rest of the limit.
10 Bake in the oven: Bake both sheets in the oven for 18-20 minutes or until golden brown making sure to rotate them from top to bottom halfway through the baking process. Let them cool for 5 minutes and serve while still warm.