Homemade Sesame Jerusalem Bagel – Vegan version

👨‍🍳 Method

For the Dough base

1. 1
   Dissolve the yeast and the sugar in the lukewarm water and leave about 10 minutes, until the mixture foams.

   💡If the mixture doesn't foam in that time, the yeast is no longer active, or the water was too hot. Start over with fresh yeast and body-temperature water.
2. 2
   Mix the flour and salt in a large bowl.

   Bowl
3. 3
   Add the yeast mixture and the olive oil and Knead about 8–10 minutes, until the dough is smooth, pliable and doesn't stick to your hands.

   ⚙ KneadingBowlStand mixer

   💡For yeast dough, use the windowpane test: a small piece stretches into a thin, translucent sheet without tearing, and that's the sign the kneading is done. Add flour only by the tablespoon, and only if the dough is still sticky after a few minutes: too much flour makes a tough dough.
4. 4
   Cover and Let rise 1 hour in a warm place, until the dough doubles in size.

   ⚙ ProofingPlastic wraporKitchen towel

   💡Let rise in a warm, draft-free spot. The dough is ready when it has doubled, and a gentle finger press leaves a dent that fills back slowly; if it springs right back, wait longer.

To assemble

1. 5
   Divide the dough into 8 balls and roll each ball into a rope long.

   Bench scraper
2. 6
   Join the ends of each rope into a ring and place the rings on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

   Baking panParchment paper

   💡Press the ends together firmly: a loose join opens in the boiling water and the ring falls apart.
3. 7
   Let rise another 20 minutes.

   ⚙ ProofingPlastic wraporKitchen towel
4. 8
   Preheat the oven to 220°C (430°F).

   ⚙ Preheating the OvenOven

   💡Put things in the oven only once it's reached temperature, after the heating light has gone off: an oven that hasn't reached temperature changes baking times, and the bake burns outside or stays underbaked.
5. 9
   In a wide pot, bring the water with the molasses to a boil and cook each Ring in it 30 seconds per side. Lift out with a slotted spoon and return to the baking sheet.

   StoveWide, shallow potSlotted spoon

   💡The short boil sets the surface of the dough before baking: the crust comes out shiny and chewy and the inside stays soft. Boiling too long thickens the crust and keeps the ring from rising in the oven.
6. 10
   Brush the rings with beaten flax egg and sprinkle the sesame seeds on top.

   Pastry brush
7. 11
   Bake 20–22 minutes, until the rings browned.

   ⚙ BakingOvenBaking pan

   💡Check by the cue (until…), not just the clock: every oven bakes a little differently.