Khaliat al Nahal (Arabic Bread or the Honeycomb Bread)

Khaliat al Nahal is basically a very soft bun which is filled with cheese spread and then after it is baked, it is poured/brushed with the honey glaze/syrup. The exotic flavours of the saltiness from the cheese and the sweetness from the glaze makes it very hard for you to stop eating these buns :) :)

You can also add nutella or pieces of chocolate instead of cheese (if using a sweet filling then skip the glaze) or you can also make savory buns by using chicken and cheese filling, like I tried in some buns. Use either of them and you won't be sorry !!

Ingredients :-

For the Glaze -

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup water
• 1 tbsp honey
• pinch saffron

Boil sugar and water and saffron together for a few minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and then add honey. Mix and set aside to cool.

For the Bread -

• 3 and half cups plain flour
• 1 cup milk sligthly warmed
• 2 tbsp milk powder
• 1 egg
• 3 tbsp sugar
• 4 tbsp oil
• 4 tbsp melted butter
• 1 and half tsp instant yeast
• 1/2 tsp salt
• cheese spread
• 1 egg for egg washing

- Sieve flour in a bowl. Add to it all the milk powder + sugar + yeast + salt. Mix properly.

- Make a well in centre. Add oil + butter + egg. Mix well.

- Now start adding warm milk, little at a time. Milk should be enough for making the dough but if not then keep some warm water ready and use sparingly.

- Knead the dough for a good time like 8-10 mins. Remember the more you knead, the softer your buns will be.

- Cover the kneaded dough with little oil. Cover and keep aside to rise for an hour.

- After an hour, punch it down and stretch it with your fingers.

- Now make small balls. Spread out a ball with your fingers and place a tsp of cheese in centre and then close your ball. In this way, fill all the buns and place them in your baking tray very close to each other, in a honeycomb pattern. Cover the tray and let it rise for another 30 mins.

- After 30 mins, apply egg wash all over and bake till the buns get a lovely golden top and are cooked thoroughly.

- As soon as the buns are out of the bun, apply the cool glaze all over. Remember your buns should be piping hot and the syrup should be cool.

- And lastly, just sit back and enjoy.

Happy Eating :)