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Turkuaz Kitchen: Traditional and Modern Dough Recipes for Sweet and Savory Bakes
In her first cookbook, social media star and baker Bëtul Tunç of Turkuaz Kitchen shows us how to create sweet and savory doughs and offers 75 recipes on how to use them in main meals and desserts.
Betül Tunç's love affair with dough began when she was just eight years old in Erzurum, a city nestled in northeastern Turkey known for its long and snowy winters. During the dark, frosty days, she found solace baking Turkish breads and desserts with her mother and sisters.
Betül's enthusiasm for baking, especially for creating sweet and savory doughs from scratch, followed her through her eventual move to the U.S. and the expansion of her family. While searching for a creative outlet to share her cooking in her new home, Betül began creating vintage-style videos on Instagram, garnering an audience that grew rapidly with each personal post she shared.
In Turkuaz Kitchen, her first cookbook, Betül shares eighty-five recipes for sweet and savory doughs and the dishes to make with them. With inspiration from traditional Turkish recipes, as well as recipes she discovered in her travels, Turkuaz Kitchen is a treasure trove of recipes for:
Basic Doughs: such as bagels, pita, ciabatta, and pizza dough
Enriched Doughs: such as croissants, cardamom buns, buttermilk dinner rolls, and burger buns
Quick Breads and Short Doughs: such as pie and tart dough, scones, biscuits, and biscotti
Unleavened Doughs: such as pastas, noodles, and dumplings
Doughs from Turkey: such as Turkish style phyllo, Turkish Pistachio Baklava, Spinach Triangle Borek, and Grandma's Lavash
Cooking for loved ones has always been one of Betül's greatest joys. With warm, achievable, and inspiring recipes for cooks of all skill levels, Turkuaz Kitchen invites readers into the kitchen to create their own food memories with those they cherish most.
Betül Tunç's love affair with dough began when she was just eight years old in Erzurum, a city nestled in northeastern Turkey known for its long and snowy winters. During the dark, frosty days, she found solace baking Turkish breads and desserts with her mother and sisters.
Betül's enthusiasm for baking, especially for creating sweet and savory doughs from scratch, followed her through her eventual move to the U.S. and the expansion of her family. While searching for a creative outlet to share her cooking in her new home, Betül began creating vintage-style videos on Instagram, garnering an audience that grew rapidly with each personal post she shared.
In Turkuaz Kitchen, her first cookbook, Betül shares eighty-five recipes for sweet and savory doughs and the dishes to make with them. With inspiration from traditional Turkish recipes, as well as recipes she discovered in her travels, Turkuaz Kitchen is a treasure trove of recipes for:
Basic Doughs: such as bagels, pita, ciabatta, and pizza dough
Enriched Doughs: such as croissants, cardamom buns, buttermilk dinner rolls, and burger buns
Quick Breads and Short Doughs: such as pie and tart dough, scones, biscuits, and biscotti
Unleavened Doughs: such as pastas, noodles, and dumplings
Doughs from Turkey: such as Turkish style phyllo, Turkish Pistachio Baklava, Spinach Triangle Borek, and Grandma's Lavash
Cooking for loved ones has always been one of Betül's greatest joys. With warm, achievable, and inspiring recipes for cooks of all skill levels, Turkuaz Kitchen invites readers into the kitchen to create their own food memories with those they cherish most.
288 pages, Hardcover
Published November 5, 2024
282 people are currently reading
477 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
March 31, 2025
Another cookbook from a social media star. This one is artistically done with the photos bringing to mind paintings of both victorian pastries and Vermeer's domestic scenes. All elements of recipes are prepared from scratch, making them a bit complex and better suited for cooks with some experience.
The last chapter focuses on Turkish recipes but the remainder of the book offers up a global melange of ones we have largely come across before. Fans of the author and cooks who appreciate taking the time to make all components of their meals from scratch will likely enjoy this book most.
The last chapter focuses on Turkish recipes but the remainder of the book offers up a global melange of ones we have largely come across before. Fans of the author and cooks who appreciate taking the time to make all components of their meals from scratch will likely enjoy this book most.
December 22, 2024
This book is as beautiful as her Instagram posts, but way less intimidating
March 14, 2025
Really beautiful cookbook that very much matches the aesthetic and content of her social media presence. The recipes are definitely on the more labor-intensive side, though I would say she does tone them down a bit from her videos -- while she mentions that she usually makes her own hot dogs for the recipe that features them, she doesn't provide it or expect that readers would be doing the same. An excellent example for the kind of labor-intensive baking that mixes modern with traditional.
November 11, 2024
Stunning!! I’ve been following Betül for a long time now and her book is incredible. She put her heart and soul into this cookbook. Beautiful!
December 30, 2025
Some standard recipes, some new. Some standard with Mediterranean twist. Most use normal pantry items. Easy to understand instructions. Most importantly, the ones I tried are delicious.
April 13, 2026
Haven't written a cookbook review in a while, so let's shake it up and do that. I follow turkuaz on IG and just like this book her videos are very beautiful and so relaxing to watch. I also love that so many Turkish influences, that is something you don't often see on the American market and as a German living here I miss that quite a bit. Another bonus is the emphasis on dough. So many variants for breads and sweets, (even for noodles etc. though I didn't dive into that section, yet).
So while I love the idea of her recipes, I have to admit I do find them a bit too complicated at times. There's often so many steps. I am the kind of person that if a recipes requires a lot of time and effort, the result better be spectacular. If it's simply pretty good I feel like I can try a simpler version of the same recipe from somewhere else. With that, some of the things I tried here, I'd totally make again, others I don't think lived quite up to the effort. But on the good side, nothing here ever gave a bad result, it's delicious book. Lost of detailed explanations and bonus tips. But definitely for those with some time on their hands to spend in the kitchen, which sometimes is fine with me (and even enjoyable) and sometimes not so much. But there's still some more recipes I would like to give a try. I definitely leaned into the savory side and should come back for a few more of the sweets!
What I made:
- Khachapuri: This was actually my introduction to Khachapuri, I since had the chance to try it from restaurants twice which was of course better than mine. I had some trouble with my dough getting too dry while rising so I might need to use a tad more liquid the next time. Solid but there's room for improvement. 3.5*
- No Knead Mediterranean Bread: This turned out delicious and was probably the easiest recipe I tried. I left out the olives (because we hate olives) and increased the walnuts and sun-dried tomatoes. Served with butter: Delish! 4*
- Garlic Naan: I was a bit disappointed with this. It didn't really taste like Naan but like a generic flatbread. That might be slim distinction but those shouldn't taste the same. 2*
- Pistachio Rolls: The Highlight of the book? These were really good (though left out that 1 TBSP of Mascarpone, I didn't want to buy any for 1 TBSP). Many steps involved, so not something to quickly whip up in the morning but I cheekily prepared them for Kaffee und Kuchen. Though I was told that they're a bit too sweet, and that was after I reduced the sugar amount in the frosting. 4*
- Zucchini Cream Cheese Biscuits: Just fine. I have a different Zucchini Bikkie recipe that I prefer over this. Somehow the cream cheese didn't add much for me. Though I loved the suggestion of turning these into sandwiches with smoked salmon! 2.5*
- Spinach Mushroom Quiche: This was extremely tasty. Again, a bit work intensive but with a great result. Maybe the creamiest quiche I've ever tasted and as a mushroom lover the flavors were wonderful. 5*
- Chicken Ramen: No, I did not make my own noodles for this recipe but I made the ramen broth and the chicken. Really nice! I have made a good number of Ramen, Pho etc. recipes over the last couple of years and this was good but nothing to stand above the rest I've tried. 3*
- Lahmacun: This is the second big highlight and the recipe I anticipated the most. Not for a busy weeknight, it was work and time consuming but so worth it. Very tasty and while it can't quite live up to what you can get in a Döner Shop it still was so good for homemade. What I found weird was that the recipe she posted for this on IG contained yeast whereas the one in the book is without yeast?! I really liked this no yeast version but wonder which one she prefers? 5*
So while I love the idea of her recipes, I have to admit I do find them a bit too complicated at times. There's often so many steps. I am the kind of person that if a recipes requires a lot of time and effort, the result better be spectacular. If it's simply pretty good I feel like I can try a simpler version of the same recipe from somewhere else. With that, some of the things I tried here, I'd totally make again, others I don't think lived quite up to the effort. But on the good side, nothing here ever gave a bad result, it's delicious book. Lost of detailed explanations and bonus tips. But definitely for those with some time on their hands to spend in the kitchen, which sometimes is fine with me (and even enjoyable) and sometimes not so much. But there's still some more recipes I would like to give a try. I definitely leaned into the savory side and should come back for a few more of the sweets!
What I made:
- Khachapuri: This was actually my introduction to Khachapuri, I since had the chance to try it from restaurants twice which was of course better than mine. I had some trouble with my dough getting too dry while rising so I might need to use a tad more liquid the next time. Solid but there's room for improvement. 3.5*
- No Knead Mediterranean Bread: This turned out delicious and was probably the easiest recipe I tried. I left out the olives (because we hate olives) and increased the walnuts and sun-dried tomatoes. Served with butter: Delish! 4*
- Garlic Naan: I was a bit disappointed with this. It didn't really taste like Naan but like a generic flatbread. That might be slim distinction but those shouldn't taste the same. 2*
- Pistachio Rolls: The Highlight of the book? These were really good (though left out that 1 TBSP of Mascarpone, I didn't want to buy any for 1 TBSP). Many steps involved, so not something to quickly whip up in the morning but I cheekily prepared them for Kaffee und Kuchen. Though I was told that they're a bit too sweet, and that was after I reduced the sugar amount in the frosting. 4*
- Zucchini Cream Cheese Biscuits: Just fine. I have a different Zucchini Bikkie recipe that I prefer over this. Somehow the cream cheese didn't add much for me. Though I loved the suggestion of turning these into sandwiches with smoked salmon! 2.5*
- Spinach Mushroom Quiche: This was extremely tasty. Again, a bit work intensive but with a great result. Maybe the creamiest quiche I've ever tasted and as a mushroom lover the flavors were wonderful. 5*
- Chicken Ramen: No, I did not make my own noodles for this recipe but I made the ramen broth and the chicken. Really nice! I have made a good number of Ramen, Pho etc. recipes over the last couple of years and this was good but nothing to stand above the rest I've tried. 3*
- Lahmacun: This is the second big highlight and the recipe I anticipated the most. Not for a busy weeknight, it was work and time consuming but so worth it. Very tasty and while it can't quite live up to what you can get in a Döner Shop it still was so good for homemade. What I found weird was that the recipe she posted for this on IG contained yeast whereas the one in the book is without yeast?! I really liked this no yeast version but wonder which one she prefers? 5*
October 18, 2025
I am still working my way through the recipes in this beautiful book, but having now made several of the recipes I think I can leave a starting review. All the items I’ve made have had easy to follow directions, turned out well, and tasted good. I think our family favorite thus far is the zucchini cream cheese biscuits. I also enjoyed the deep dish quiche, pumpkin scones, and cramique (chocolate brioche).
The classic from scratch recipes are maybe not ground breaking, but they are solid so far in my experience. I’m not one to want to make recipes that are extremely complex or with expensive or difficult to find ingredients. This is an approachable baking cookbook. Maybe not ideal for a novice baker, but certainly for an experienced home baker.
Definitely will continue making many more of these recipes!
The classic from scratch recipes are maybe not ground breaking, but they are solid so far in my experience. I’m not one to want to make recipes that are extremely complex or with expensive or difficult to find ingredients. This is an approachable baking cookbook. Maybe not ideal for a novice baker, but certainly for an experienced home baker.
Definitely will continue making many more of these recipes!
January 30, 2025
caveat: I haven't actually baked anything from this yet, so review is just based on reading through the book and some of the recipes.
To say the least, this is a gorgeous book--beautifully shot and, true to the author's Instagram, imbued with that old world feel.
I was disappointed in the choice of recipes, though. You can find similar recipes in most dough-centric cookbooks; having lived in Turkey for 5 years, I was hoping for something a bit more original and Turkish-forward. I do want to try her recipe sfor simit and (I forget what she called it, but it was a pide-looking bread with egg). Some of the best bread I've ever eaten was in Turkey, and I was looking forward to more of that, rather than yet another recipe for croissants and cream puffs.
To say the least, this is a gorgeous book--beautifully shot and, true to the author's Instagram, imbued with that old world feel.
I was disappointed in the choice of recipes, though. You can find similar recipes in most dough-centric cookbooks; having lived in Turkey for 5 years, I was hoping for something a bit more original and Turkish-forward. I do want to try her recipe sfor simit and (I forget what she called it, but it was a pide-looking bread with egg). Some of the best bread I've ever eaten was in Turkey, and I was looking forward to more of that, rather than yet another recipe for croissants and cream puffs.
January 24, 2026
I’ve had this book for a while now, and I truly have to thank it for how much my bread has improved. This book doesn’t just give you recipes, it actually teaches you about dough and baking in a way that feels easy and fun instead of intimidating.
I love how it mixes traditional and modern recipes, and even though I haven’t made everything yet, every recipe I’ve tried has been delicious. It makes baking feel peaceful and creative, and it’s the kind of book you want to sit with and learn from, not just rush through.
If you love baking bread or want to get better at it, this book is such a beautiful guide. It educates you, inspires you, and makes you excited to bake. Definitely one of my favorites in my kitchen.
I love how it mixes traditional and modern recipes, and even though I haven’t made everything yet, every recipe I’ve tried has been delicious. It makes baking feel peaceful and creative, and it’s the kind of book you want to sit with and learn from, not just rush through.
If you love baking bread or want to get better at it, this book is such a beautiful guide. It educates you, inspires you, and makes you excited to bake. Definitely one of my favorites in my kitchen.
June 10, 2025
I follow Betul Tunc on Instagram and love the warmth of her posts. She is an artist and I couldn't wait to have my hands on this cookbook. It has many of the recipes from her Instagram account that I love and have reproduced a few. Her instructions are clear and well thought out. And of course, everything is delicious. I do have one suggestion, however: I wish on each recipe she had printed the date of the original Instagram post. That way you have a visual tutorial that coincides with the recipes. Other than that, wonderful cookbook!
October 11, 2025
I'm always wary of books written by social media influencers and I avoid them for the most part. However, I had tried a few recipes from Betul's Instagram and I was confident they worked well (which is not always a given with Instagram cooks...).
I'm happy to say that the book is well written and recipes I tried also turned out perfectly. The pizza dough I make almost every week (I usually alternate with a recipe from someone else) and it's one of my favourites. If you're on the fence about the book, I genuinely recommend it.
I'm happy to say that the book is well written and recipes I tried also turned out perfectly. The pizza dough I make almost every week (I usually alternate with a recipe from someone else) and it's one of my favourites. If you're on the fence about the book, I genuinely recommend it.
November 27, 2025
This recipe book is trying to figure out what exactly it wants to be with a hodge-podge of baked goods (sweet and savory) that don’t all quite make sense together.
Absolutely love the multi-seed sandwich bread but other than that I’ve found most of the recipes underwhelming. All the sweets are far too sweet and the author doesn’t seem to quite grasp how best to describe or use specific measurements.
Absolutely love the multi-seed sandwich bread but other than that I’ve found most of the recipes underwhelming. All the sweets are far too sweet and the author doesn’t seem to quite grasp how best to describe or use specific measurements.
December 1, 2024
So insanely proud of Betül. I have been following her for years and I love all her videos. Her vibe is so calm and elegant and to have a book made by her is an honour. You can see the time and dedication she put into it and it reflects in this well crafted book. The photos, the floral design when you open the book, the photo quality , and her signature. Everything is perfect!
December 9, 2024
I have followed the author on Instagram for a while, and have been so excited to read, learn, love and explore her book. And so far, it has not disappointed! 🙏🏽 Wonderful recipes, where the author takes the reader (and baker) through memories and feelings. Can’t wait to go through these recipes and make them myself.
December 15, 2024
A beautiful book with great photos. The first 2/3 of the book seemed like featured technical bakes from the Great British Bake Off. The last 1/3 of the book were traditional Turkish recipes.
Lovely book. When I retire, I will buy this and try several recipes! Hopefully, I'll get to Turkey before then and try several from the local bakeries!
Lovely book. When I retire, I will buy this and try several recipes! Hopefully, I'll get to Turkey before then and try several from the local bakeries!
December 21, 2024
This book just makes me happy. Beautifully written, gorgeous pictures with easy to follow recipes. Although I’m Spanish and no Turkish somehow this book brings me back to my childhood. I also love that she explores international recipes.
I find myself reading it for fun with a cup of hot chocolate on a rainy day.
I find myself reading it for fun with a cup of hot chocolate on a rainy day.
May 5, 2025
130:2025
More baking than I expected but I'm excited about this one. I love watching Tunc's videos and have tried several of her recipes. I was very interested to check out her cookbook. It is a great entry into Turkish food and for someone who loves to cook but is not an avid baker. The recipes aren't easy, per se, but very well detailed so they feel approachable.
More baking than I expected but I'm excited about this one. I love watching Tunc's videos and have tried several of her recipes. I was very interested to check out her cookbook. It is a great entry into Turkish food and for someone who loves to cook but is not an avid baker. The recipes aren't easy, per se, but very well detailed so they feel approachable.
September 7, 2025
The recipes are incredible, I would buy this just for the donut recipe alone. There are no exotic ingredients needed, the recipes have clear instructions and the book itself is very beautiful, I love the style of the pictures a lot. I would say it's way more detailed than her instagram recipes, so it's worth it if you enjoy baked goods and desserts.
November 11, 2024
I have many cook books, but this one is one of my favourites by far. I have baked three (3) of the recipes so far and each one turned out better than the next. Purchase a kitchen scale and just follow her instructions. You will enjoy every bite!!
November 15, 2024
Well, I truly want to make everything in this book. It’s beautifully photographed and the recipes look delicious. Wonderful!
November 20, 2024
Lovely lovely book ❤️
January 2, 2025
I love reading cookbooks. I read them more than I actually cook/bake out of them.
January 5, 2025
Beautiful and inspiring. Loved it.
January 6, 2025
This book is beautiful and so helpful. I've already tried out a few recipes and if the rest are half as good as these, this will be the best cookbook I've read in a long time.
February 20, 2025
I didn't get to try nearly as many recipes as I wanted before I had to return this lovely book to the library, so I'll definitely revisit it and hopefully buy my own copy.
March 13, 2025
I don't normally review cookbooks but I received this one for Christmas after following Betul on Tiktok and I love it. Beautiful and so many wonderful recipes that are broken down into easy steps.
April 4, 2025
Excellent recipes!!!
June 19, 2025
What a stunning book. The recipes are easy to follow and understand. I appreciate that she writes the ingredients in grams as well as cups as I'm trying to become more proficient in using grams.
July 3, 2025
A beautiful book with a wonderful collection of recipes from a myriad of cuisines, including many from the author's own origins.
August 28, 2025
I love this lady's you tube videos and the recipes are spot on! I highly recommend this book!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews