Yemenite honeycomb bread (khaliat al nahl) Recipe

Cooking Directions

• STEP 1.In a large bowl, combine warm milk, yeast, and sugar. Let it sit for 5 minutes until frothy.
• STEP 2.Add flour, salt, melted butter, and egg to the yeast mixture. Mix until a soft dough forms.
• STEP 3.Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5 minutes until smooth and elastic.
• STEP 4.Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise for 1-2 hours until doubled in size.
• STEP 5.Punch down the dough and divide it into small balls. Flatten each ball and place a teaspoon of cream cheese filling in the center.
• STEP 6.Fold the edges of the dough over the filling and pinch to seal. Place the filled balls in a greased baking dish, close together.
• STEP 7.Cover the baking dish and let the dough rise for another 30 minutes.
• STEP 8.Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
• STEP 9.Brush the top of the dough with beaten egg and sprinkle sesame seeds over it.
• STEP 10.Bake for 20-25 minutes until the bread is golden brown.
• STEP 11.Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving.
• STEP 12.Serve warm and enjoy!

Cooking Tips

• Make sure the milk is warm, not hot, to activate the yeast properly.
• You can add a pinch of ground cardamom or cinnamon to the dough for extra flavor.
• If you don't have cream cheese, you can use any other soft cheese as a filling.
• For a sweeter version, you can drizzle honey over the bread after baking.
• Leftover bread can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.

Storage and Serving

• Yemenite honeycomb bread is best served warm.
• It can be enjoyed on its own or with a cup of tea or coffee.
• You can also serve it as part of a brunch spread with other Yemeni dishes.
• To reheat the bread, wrap it in aluminum foil and warm it in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-10 minutes.