Ka'ak al-Quds (Jerusalem Sesame Bread Rings)
Local name: كعك القدس
In short: Long oval rings of soft yeast bread coated in sesame seeds, baked until golden and eaten with za'atar, olive oil and boiled eggs. It takes about 1 h in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 40 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Resting
- 1 h 30 min
- Total
- 1 h
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 430 kcal
Ka'ak al-Quds is the sesame bread sold from carts in the streets of Jerusalem in the early morning. It is shaped into a long oval ring, dipped in a light sweet wash and rolled in sesame seeds before baking, so the crust is nutty and the inside stays soft. The classic way to eat it is warm, torn open and dipped in za'atar and olive oil, with a hard-boiled egg alongside.
Instructions
- Mix the flour, yeast, sugar, salt and mahlab. Add the oil and most of the water and mix to a soft dough, adding the rest only if needed. Knead for 8 to 10 minutes until smooth, then cover and let rise for 1 hour until doubled.
- Divide the dough into 6 pieces of about 140 g. Roll each into a rope about 50 cm (20 in) long.
- Bring the ends of each rope together, overlapping by about 5 cm (2 in), and pinch to seal into a long oval ring.
- Stir the date syrup into the warm water in a shallow dish and spread the sesame seeds on a plate. Dip the top of each ring in the syrup water, then press into the sesame seeds.
- Place the rings on parchment-lined trays, cover loosely and rest for 20 to 30 minutes until puffy. Heat the oven to 220°C (425°F) during this time.
- Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, until deep golden. Cool on a rack for 10 minutes.
- Mix the za'atar with the olive oil and serve with the warm bread for dipping.
Tips
- Do not skip the syrup dip. It helps the sesame stick and gives a deeper golden color. Toast the sesame lightly first for a nuttier crust.
- Freeze the cooled rings in a bag for up to 2 months and reheat in a 200°C (400°F) oven for 6 minutes. Cut them in half and fill with falafel, tomato and cucumber for a sandwich.
Questions and answers
What do you eat with ka'ak al-Quds?
Za'atar and olive oil, falafel, hummus, or sliced tomato and cucumber. It is a typical street breakfast.
How do I keep the bread soft?
Wrap the cooled rings in a clean cloth and then a bag. Eat within 2 days, or freeze them.
Can I use whole wheat flour?
Yes, replace up to a third of the flour with whole wheat and add a spoonful more water. The bread will be denser.
How long does it take to make Ka'ak al-Quds (Jerusalem Sesame Bread Rings)?
About 1 h in total: 40 min of preparation and 20 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Ka'ak al-Quds (Jerusalem Sesame Bread Rings)?
About 430 kcal per serving, with 12 g of protein, 71 g of carbohydrates and 12 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 430 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 12 g |
| Carbohydrates | 71 g |
| Fat | 12 g |
| Fiber | 5 g |
| Sugar | 4 g |
| Sodium | 450 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
