Bold City Jerusalem Bread (Vegan)

Ingredients

• 1.5 cupwarm water
• 2.5 tspyeast
• 1 tbspolive oil
• 1.5 tspsalt
• 2 tbspvegan yogurt or sour cream
• 1 tspsugar
• 4 cupsall-purpose flour
• 0.25 cupsesame seeds

Method

1. 1In a large bowl, dissolve sugar into the warm water and stir in the yeast.
2. 2Allow the yeast mixture to sit for 10 minutes. Add the salt, yogurt, and oil and give it a good stir.
3. 3Whisk in 1 1/2 cups of flour. Now slowly stir in the remaining flour, stopping when your dough has become a soft ball. Knead your bread for 8 minutes on a floured board until a smooth elastic ball has formed.
4. 4Place the ball of dough in an oiled bowl and let sit covered with a damp cloth one hour or until doubled in bulk.
5. 5Turn oven to 475°F. Prepare two baking sheets with parchment. Up-end the dough onto a cutting board and cut into 8 pieces. Roll each into a snake about 12–15 inches long and form an oval.
6. 6Brush each bread with warm water and generously sprinkle on sesame seeds. It is important to do this now so you don't deflate the rings after they rise.
7. 7Let rise 20 minutes.
8. 8Place in the hot oven and bake 12–15 minutes. Remove from the oven when golden brown.