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Turkish Olive & Sumac Swirl Bread

Ultimate Guide to Baking Turkish Olive & Sumac Swirl Bread


  • Author: David Andersson
  • Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes (including rising time)
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This savory loaf is an enriched bread. It has a striking twisted appearance. The filling is deeply aromatic. The dough contains milk, olive oil, and an egg. This mixture yields an incredibly tender crumb. The bread is exceptionally soft and pillowy. The standout feature is the unique filling. It uses chopped olives and ground sumac. This creates a salty and earthy profile. The flavor is also wonderfully bright.


Ingredients

Scale

For the Dough

  • 3½ cups (440 g) all-purpose flour
  • 2¼ tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 cup warm milk
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 1 large egg

For the Filling

  • 1½ cups black and green olives, finely chopped
  • 1 small onion, finely diced
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 tbsp sumac
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

For the Topping

  • 1 egg, beaten (egg wash)
  • 1 tbsp sesame seeds
  • 1 tbsp nigella seeds (optional)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Dough

  1. In a small bowl, combine the warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let stand for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
  2. In a large bowl, mix the flour and salt.
  3. Add the yeast mixture, olive oil, and egg.
  4. Knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  5. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.

2. Prepare the Filling

  1. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
  2. Cook the onion for 4–5 minutes until softened.
  3. Remove from the heat and stir in the chopped olives, parsley, sumac, oregano, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.

3. Shape the Bread

  1. Punch down the risen dough and roll it into a rectangle about 12 × 16 inches.
  2. Spread the olive filling evenly over the dough.
  3. Roll the dough tightly into a log.
  4. Slice the log lengthwise, leaving one end attached, then twist the two halves together with the filling facing upward.
  5. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking tray or loaf pan.

Notes

Whether served as part of a Mediterranean-inspired meal or enjoyed with a cup of tea, this Turkish Olive & Sumac Swirl Bread is a homemade treat that combines simple ingredients with unforgettable flavor.

  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Bread
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Turkish

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice
  • Calories: 290 kcal

Keywords: Turkish savory swirl bread, Mediterranean olive bread twist, sumac olive braided loaf