Description
To put it simply, this bread is a beautiful marriage of a classic enriched yeast dough and a traditional savory spice paste. Instead of a sweet filling like cinnamon and sugar, this loaf features a deeply aromatic blend of wild thyme, toasted sesame seeds, sumac, and rich olive oil. The dough itself is enriched with milk, olive oil, and an egg, which gives it an exceptionally soft, pillowy texture that stays tender for days.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Dough
- 3½ cups (440 g) all-purpose flour
- 2¼ tsp (7 g) instant yeast
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup (240 ml) warm milk
- ¼ cup (60 ml) warm water
- ¼ cup (60 ml) olive oil
- 1 large egg
For the Za’atar Filling
- ¼ cup za’atar seasoning
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds (optional)
For Brushing
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 tsp milk
- Extra sesame seeds for topping
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, yeast, sugar, and salt.
- Add the warm milk, warm water, olive oil, and egg. Mix until a soft dough forms.
- Knead the dough for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let it rise for 1–1½ hours, or until doubled in size.
- Mix the za’atar seasoning with the olive oil to make a spreadable paste.
- Punch down the dough and roll it into a rectangle about 12 × 16 inches (30 × 40 cm).
- Spread the za’atar mixture evenly over the dough and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
- Roll the dough tightly into a log from the long side.
- Slice the log lengthwise, leaving one end attached, then twist the two strands together with the cut sides facing up.
- Transfer the twisted loaf to a greased loaf pan or shape it into a spiral on a lined baking tray.
- Cover and let rise for 30–40 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Brush the loaf with the egg wash and sprinkle with extra sesame seeds.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped.
- Cool for at least 15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 260 kcal
Keywords: savory zaatar bread loaf, mediterranean spice swirl bread, soft herb braided bread