Yemeni Sweet Pastry (Sabaya)
Sabaya, also known as Bint Al-Sahn, is a delicate, layered sweet pastry from Yemen. It features thin, flaky layers brushed with butter and often served warm with honey, making it a popular breakfast or dessert item.
🧂 Ingredients
- 4.75 cups All-purpose flour(about 694g)
- 2 tsp Salt
- 2 tsp Instant yeast
- 2 tbsp Vegetable oil(for dough)
- 2 cups Warm water
- 0.75 cup Butter(melted and browned)
- 0.25 cup Vegetable oil(for brushing layers)
- 1 large Egg yolk(for egg wash)
- 1 tbsp Milk(for egg wash)
- 1 tsp Nigella seeds(optional, for topping)
- for serving Honey
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and instant yeast.
- 2
Add the vegetable oil and warm water. Mix until a shaggy dough forms. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- 3
Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
- 4
Punch down the dough and divide it into 8 equal portions. Roll each portion into a ball.
- 5
While the dough balls rest, prepare the butter filling by browning 3/4 cup of butter and mixing it with 1/4 cup of oil.
- 6
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9-inch round baking pan.
- 7
Take one dough ball and roll it out very thinly on a lightly oiled surface into a circle the size of your pan. Place it in the prepared pan. Brush the surface with the butter-oil mixture. Repeat this process with the remaining 7 dough balls, stacking them and brushing each layer with the butter-oil mixture.
- 8
In a small bowl, whisk together the egg yolk and milk for the egg wash. Brush the top layer of the pastry with the egg wash and sprinkle with nigella seeds, if using.
- 9
Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and puffed.
- 10
Let the sabaya cool slightly in the pan. Serve warm, drizzled generously with honey.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Ensure your dough is well-kneaded for a tender pastry.
- ✓Rolling the dough very thinly is key to achieving flaky layers.
- ✓Browning the butter adds a lovely nutty flavor.
🔄 Variations
- Some recipes include a touch of sugar in the dough.
- Serve with a side of Yemeni tea (Qishr).