Bint Al Sahn
Bint Al Sahn, meaning 'daughter of the plate,' is a beloved Yemeni sweet bread characterized by its numerous thin, flaky layers, rich buttery flavor, and a generous drizzle of honey. Traditionally served for breakfast or as a special treat, it's often enjoyed warm with a cup of tea.
🧂 Ingredients
- 5.5 cups All-purpose flour
- 1 cup Warm milk
- 4 plus 1 yolk for egg wash Large eggs
- 1 tsp Instant yeast
- 2 tsp Salt
- 1 cup Melted butter or ghee
- 1 tsp Nigella seeds (optional)
- 200 ml Yemeni honey (or other raw honey)(or more to taste)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
In a large bowl, combine the warm milk, eggs, sugar (if using), salt, flour, and instant yeast. Mix until a dough forms. Knead by hand or with a dough hook for 10-15 minutes until the dough is soft, smooth, and slightly tacky. Add a little more flour or water if needed to achieve the right consistency.
- 2
Cover the dough and let it rest in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size. Alternatively, some recipes suggest a shorter resting time of 10 minutes after initial kneading.
- 3
Grease a 14-15 inch round baking pan or pizza pan. Divide the dough into 8-10 equal balls. Take one ball and flatten it with your hand, then gently stretch it or roll it out very thinly, almost see-through, like pizza dough. Carefully place the stretched dough into the prepared pan, pressing it to the edges.
- 4
Brush the surface of the dough layer with melted butter or ghee, ensuring not to cover the very edges of the pan. Repeat this process with the remaining dough balls, layering them and brushing each layer with butter/ghee, except for the final top layer.
- 5
Whisk the egg yolk with a tablespoon of milk or water to create an egg wash. Brush the top layer of the dough with the egg wash and sprinkle with nigella seeds, if using.
- 6
Bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 18-20 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and puffed up. Some recipes suggest baking on the bottom rack for the initial 15 minutes, then moving to the top rack for the last 5 minutes.
- 7
Once removed from the oven, generously drizzle warm Yemeni honey all over the hot Bint Al Sahn. Allow it to soak in for a few minutes before serving.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓The key to Bint Al Sahn is to get the dough as thin as possible for each layer.
- ✓Using bread flour can make the dough easier to stretch without tearing.
- ✓Letting the dough balls rest and relax makes them easier to work with.
- ✓Serve warm for the best texture and flavor.
- ✓Traditionally, Bint Al Sahn is not sliced but torn into pieces and eaten by hand.
🔄 Variations
- Some recipes use a combination of all-purpose and wheat flour.
- Adding a pinch of cardamom to the dough can enhance the flavor.
- Sabayah is a similar dish from the Hadramout region, which may have a slightly denser center.