Khaliat Al Nahl/Honeycomb bread
It's an Arabic bread usually filled with cheese and glazed with sugar syrup.It can also be filled with jams or any savory filling of your choice.It's usually made with all purpose flour .But I tweaked it & made with whole wheat flour:all purpose flour in the ratio 3:1. And also filled half the rolls with Nutella and other half with cream cheese as my kids wanted both flavors.
For the buns
1.Whole wheat flour-1 1/2 cup
All purpose flour-1/2 cup
Baking powder-1 tsp
Salt-1/4 tsp
Sugar-1 1/2 tbsps
Curd-1 tbsp
Instant yeast-1 tsp
Lukewarm Milk-3/4 cup
Lukewarm Water-1/4 cup
Olive oil-2 tbsps
In a bowl mix together the flours,salt,sugar and baking powder.Add the curd & mix in.Now add the yeast & the milk. Add the water as required to get a sticky dough.This may vary with the wheat flour u r using.
Now remove the dough into the countertop & knead for 4-5 minutes. Add the oil and knead again for another 8-10 minutes to get a smooth dough.
The dough is ready when a small portion of the dough is stretched with your hands doesn't break & u can see the light passing through it once you place them against the windows. This is the window pane test.
Now transfer the dough to a well oiled bowl and cover it with cling wrap or lid.Let this sit in a warm place for it to rise.This may take 1 1/2 to 2 hours.Meanwhile you make the sugar glaze.
For the glaze
2.Sugar-1/4 cup
Honey-2 tbsps
Water-1/2 cup
Dried ginger powder-1 pinch
Or
Crushed ginger-1/2 tsp
Boil the above ingredients together in a steel vessel.Reduce heat.Allow to simmer for 4-5 minutes Remove & let it cool.
For the filling
3.cream cheese as required
Or
Nutella as required
Or
Jam as required
Once the dough has risen,gently punch it down & knead for 2 minutes and then divide into 20 medium balls.
Flatten each ball with your fingers and place 1/4 tsp of any of the above filling & reshape it into balls.
If you are using Nutella keep it in fridge for 1/2-1 hour for it to firm.otherwise u may end up with messy buns.
Place the filled balls in a baking tray lined with greased parchment paper.
4.Egg-1
Milk-1 tbsp
Beat together the egg and milk and brush this over the balls
5.black/white sesame seeds as required
Sprinkle the sesame seeds on top.Cover with a cling wrap & set aside for the second rise. This may take another 30-45 minutes.
Bake this in a preheated oven at 170 C for 15-30 minutes or until the top is golden.Remove & brush with glaze.If you want it sweeter pour the entire glaze over the buns while it is still warm,and cover the tray with aluminum foil for 10 minutes sothat the buns absorb the syrup.After 10 minutes remove foil and serve warm.
Notes
1.If you r making buns for the first time use only all purpose flour.Cause it's easy to handle.In this recipe use 2 cups of Apf and no need to use lukewarm water.
2.If you don't want to use baking powder, then replace it with an additional 1/2 tsp of instant yeast.
3.U r the best judge of your oven.so adjust your baking time accordingly as baking time varies from oven to oven.
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