Obwarzanek krakowski

Obwarzanek krakowski is a twisted ring of wheat dough, boiled and then baked, sold from street stalls in Kraków. It is one of the best-known street snacks of the city and is usually eaten warm, bought on the way through a market or along a walk. Its shape is close to the bagel, but the dough and the method are its own.

What it really is

Obwarzanek is made from a plain wheat dough of flour, water, yeast and salt. The dough is rolled into a long strand, twisted and joined into a ring, then briefly boiled in water and baked until the crust is firm and golden. The boil gives the outside a smooth, slightly chewy skin. Sesame seeds are the usual topping, pressed onto the ring before it is baked, and bakers vary the thickness of the ring.

Obwarzanek is a bread for eating out of hand, not a sandwich roll. It is not sweet, and the classic dough has no milk, egg or butter. It is a snack that is sold fresh and eaten within the hour, so it is best when still warm.

How it's served

• Warm, straight from the stall, eaten by hand while walking.
• Plain or sprinkled with sesame, as sold at the street stalls.
• With a hot drink such as coffee or tea, as a snack in the morning or afternoon.

How to write it on the menu

• Name the bread as a boiled and baked wheat ring from Kraków, and say whether it is sesame-topped.
• Flag wheat and sesame. Both are standard in the classic version.
• If you sell it with a filling or a spread, flag that separately, because fillings change the allergens.
• The classic form is vegan, so say so when guests ask, and check any new recipe that adds butter or egg.