Turkish Crown Pizza Ring with Sucuk and Kaşar Step-by-step instructions

Before you start

Before starting, ensure the sucuk is sliced into thin rounds and the kaşar is shredded. Have the tomato sauce ready and the sesame seeds toasted.

The dough needs to rise for about an hour, so plan accordingly. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) when ready to bake.

Instructions

Prepare and rise the dough

1. 1Make the dough
   In a large bowl, combine the flour, instant yeast, sugar, and salt. Add the warm water and olive oil, then stir until a shaggy dough forms. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 8 minutes, until smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour, until doubled in size.
   Look for The dough is smooth, springy, and has doubled in volume.
   Tip If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour, a tablespoon at a time.
2. 2Roll the dough into a round
   Punch down the risen dough and transfer it to a large sheet of parchment paper. Roll it into a wide circle, about 16 inches in diameter. Place a small inverted bowl in the center of the dough round, pressing gently to mark the center.
   Look for The dough is rolled evenly, about 1/4 inch thick.
   Tip Roll from the center outward to keep the circle even.

The dough should be smooth, elastic, and doubled in size after rising. It should spring back when poked with a finger. The aroma is yeasty and inviting. Before rolling, punch it down gently to release the air.

Assemble and fold the crown

3. 3Spread the sauce and add toppings
   Spread the oregano tomato sauce over the dough, leaving a 2-inch border around the edge. Arrange the sucuk slices and shredded kaşar cheese over the sauce, creating a ring around the center bowl. The center bowl should remain clear.
   Look for The toppings form a colorful ring around the bowl, with the center empty.
   Tip Keep the toppings away from the outer edge so the dough can fold over easily.
4. 4Cut and fold the crown
   Remove the center bowl. Using a pizza cutter or sharp knife, cut the dough from the outer edge toward the center into 8 equal star rays, being careful not to cut through the filling. Fold each triangle of dough over the filling, overlapping slightly to form a crown shape. Pinch the ends to seal.
   Look for The dough forms a geometric crown with the filling visible between the folds.
   Tip Fold the dough points toward the center, but leave a small gap to show the filling.

The dough round is evenly rolled, with the sauce and toppings distributed in a ring.

The folds are neat and overlapping, forming a crown with the filling visible in the gaps. The egg wash gives a glossy sheen and the sesame seeds cling evenly.

Bake to golden perfection

5. 5Brush with egg wash and sprinkle seeds
   Brush the exposed dough points with the beaten egg, then sprinkle the toasted sesame seeds over the entire crown.
   Look for The dough points are glossy and coated with sesame seeds.
   Tip Use a gentle hand to avoid deflating the dough.
6. 6Bake the crown pizza
   Transfer the parchment paper with the crown to a baking sheet. Bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 20 to 25 minutes, until the crust is deep golden brown and the cheese is bubbling. The internal temperature of the sucuk should reach at least 160°F (71°C).
   Look for The crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
   Safe temperature 160°F (71°C) internal temperature (ground meat)
   Tip Rotate the baking sheet halfway through for even browning.
7. 7Cool and slice
   Let the crown pizza cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cutting board. Use a pizza cutter to slice between the folds and lift out triangular slices, letting the cheese stretch.
   Look for The slices pull apart with long strings of melted cheese.
   Tip Let it cool slightly so the cheese sets enough to slice cleanly.

The crown is deeply golden, with bubbling cheese and a crisp crust. The kitchen smells of toasted sesame and spiced sausage. The internal temperature of the sucuk is at least 160°F (71°C). Let it rest before slicing to let the cheese set.

Common mistakes

Avoid overfilling the ring, as this can make folding difficult and cause the filling to leak out. Make sure the dough is rolled evenly so the crown bakes uniformly.

When cutting the star rays, don't cut all the way through the filling; leave a bit of dough to fold over. Also, don't skip the egg wash—it's key for that glossy, golden finish.

How to tell it’s done

The crown pizza is done when the crust is deep golden brown and the cheese is bubbling and lightly browned in spots.

The internal temperature of the sucuk should read at least 160°F (71°C) on an instant-read thermometer. Let it cool for a few minutes before slicing to allow the cheese to set slightly.

• Egg dishes: 160°F (71°C) in the thickest part
• Ground meat: 160°F (71°C) in the thickest part