Non-i Biri Shir (Sweet Milk Bread)
Non-i Biri Shir is a delightful sweet bread from Tajikistan, often enjoyed for breakfast or as a treat with tea. Made with milk, sugar, and a hint of cardamom, this soft and slightly enriched bread has a subtle sweetness and a wonderfully comforting aroma.
🧂 Ingredients
- 500 g All-purpose flour
- 250 ml Warm milk
- 100 g Granulated sugar
- 50 g Butter(softened)
- 2 large Egg yolks
- 7 g Active dry yeast
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Ground cardamom
- for brushing Egg wash (1 egg beaten with 1 tbsp milk)
- for sprinkling Sesame seeds or poppy seeds
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
In a small bowl, combine the warm milk, 1 tablespoon of the sugar, and the active dry yeast. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
💡 Tip: Ensure milk is warm, not hot, to avoid killing the yeast - 2
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, remaining sugar, salt, and ground cardamom.
💡 Tip: Sifting the flour can result in a lighter bread - 3
Add the softened butter and egg yolks to the flour mixture. Pour in the activated yeast mixture.
💡 Tip: Ensure butter is at room temperature for easy incorporation - 4
Mix until a shaggy dough forms. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
💡 Tip: Add a little more flour if the dough is too sticky, but avoid adding too much - 5
Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap or a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
💡 Tip: A slightly warm oven (turned off) is a good place for rising - 6
Punch down the dough and shape it into a round loaf or desired shape. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
💡 Tip: You can also divide the dough into smaller rolls - 7
Cover the shaped dough and let it rise for another 30 minutes.
- 8
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Brush the top of the bread with the egg wash and sprinkle with sesame or poppy seeds.
- 9
Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
💡 Tip: If the top browns too quickly, loosely tent with foil - 10
Let the bread cool on a wire rack before slicing and serving.
💡 Tip: Best served warm
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Using good quality butter will enhance the flavor of the bread.
- ✓Cardamom is traditional, but you can experiment with a pinch of cinnamon.
- ✓Ensure your yeast is active for a good rise.
🔄 Variations
- Add a tablespoon of honey to the dough for extra sweetness.
- Incorporate a handful of raisins or chopped dried apricots into the dough before the second rise.
- For a richer bread, replace some of the milk with cream.