Bread Recipes, Exotic World Recipes
If all Yemeni food is like this Khaliat Nahal, I am in love. Just try and resist a bite of cheese filled honeycomb bread, dripping in an orange blossom perfumed syrup!
It’s time for the MENA Cooking Club. This monthly group has for goal to help us discover the culture and cuisine of the countries found in these parts of the world. Two savory recipes and a sweet dish are suggested from the country and the members pick one dish to make. This month we are off to Yemen with a super yummy Khaliat Nahal, a Yemeni bread prepared like a honeycomb bread or beehive buns.
About Yemen
Yemen is on the southern tip of the Arabian Peninsula, and sharing borders with Saudi Arabia and Oman. Unfortunately beautiful Yemen is being ravaged by a horrific civil war right now, hardly a tourist destination at this time.
A real shame as it must be a fascinating country to explore, it is one of the oldest centers of civilization in the Near East and having a record of history dating back to the 12th century BC.
Early Yemen has been ruled by many kingdoms we have never heard of, later by Ethiopian and Persian rule, and the Ottoman Empire.
The landscape is varied, from the coasts to mountains, valleys, and highlands. Sana’a is the capital city. The people are said to be very friendly and welcoming.
Yemeni food recipe and Yemen desserts
Yemeni cuisine is quite distinct from the rest of the Middle East and Yemen dishes are best enjoyed when invited by locals for a meal. Not accepting an invitation is considered an insult. Many Yemeni dishes are prepared in a round clay oven called a taboon.
Chicken, goat, lamb, tomatoes, onions, broad beans, lentils and potatoes are the staples in Yemen. There is also a long list of unleavened flat-breads to enjoy.
Common seasonings include chili peppers, cumin, coriander seeds, turmeric, fenugreek, mint, cilantro, and the Hawaij spice mix made from aniseeds, fennel seeds, ginger, and cardamom.
The national dish is Salta Yemeni, a meat-based stew spiced with fenugreek. Ogdat, which means “knot”, is a stew made from tying all the ingredients together.
Yemen sweets and bread
Yemeni honey is an important delicacy which one will find in most desserts, like today’s Khaliyat Nahal honeycomb and cheese bread recipe, Yemeni honey cake, Yemeni bread with honey, and the Yemeni bint al sahn recipe. The list is long for Yemeni cake, Yemeni sweets, and Yemeni bread recipe.
Fruits like raisins, mangos, and bananas are common, as is the banana bread pudding Masoub recipe. As you can see they have a penchant for Yemeni sweet dishes and Yemen bread, such as the recipe for this Arabic bread with cheese inside I will share.
How to make honeycomb bread or honeycomb buns
Today’s Khaliat Al Nahl is a cheese filled honey comb bread recipe, sort of like a pull-apart bread, which is soaked in an orange blossom perfumed syrup after it comes out of the oven. Another name for this Khaliat Nahl Arabic sweet bread style is bee hive bun.
And yes this middle eastern sweet bread is just as awesome and delicious as it sounds. I swear this part of the world knows how to make desserts. It is a mix of savory (Arab cheese bread with the cream cheese) and sweet (with the syrup) but it is not overly sweet either.
I halved the recipe and brought enough for my colleagues to have two pieces each. This honeycomb Arabic dessert vanished pretty fast and I got loads of compliments. These stuffed honeycomb buns would be fabulous for a pot-luck party.
This Yemeni honeycomb bread recipe, or Khaliat Al Nahal recipe, is on Sheba Yemeni Food. It’s a really easy honeycomb bread recipe to follow. You’ll fall in love with these Arabic cheese rolls at first bite!
Khaliat Nahal, a Yemeni Honeycomb Bread
5 from 1 vote
Print RecipePin Recipe
Servings 48 balls of bread
Ingredients
Dough
- 2 teaspoons yeast
- 1/4 cup warm milk
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tsp. salt
- 3 1/2 cups bread flour
- 2 tbsp. unsweetened yogurt
- 1 egg
- 6 tbsp. butter softened
- about 1/2 to 2/3 cup warm water
- 8 oz. cream cheese
- 1 tbsp. milk for the wash
- sesame seeds/black seeds I used poppy and hemp seeds
Sugar Syrup
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 tbsp. honey
- 1 tbsp. orange blossom water
Instructions
Activate the yeast with a 1/4 cup of warm milk, leave to rest a few minutes. Add the sugar, salt, flour, yogurt, egg, butter, and enough water to form a smooth but not too sticky dough. Knead for about 15 minutes until smooth (or less with a stand mixer with dough hook).
Let the dough rise for about 1 hour in a warm place, covered.
Grease a big 14 inch round baking pan or 2 smaller baking pans. Cut the dough into 48 equal sized pieces (split into 3 parts, and then each piece in half until you have 48).
Cut the cream cheese into 48 pieces. Take a piece of dough and form a flat disk, place a piece of cream cheese inside, pinch it closed with your fingers and roll it into a ball. Repeat.
Place the balls into the pan, leaving about a 1/2 inch space between all the pieces to allow room for the 2nd rise. Cover and let rise until doubled in size, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
Preheated oven to 375 F. Brush the tops of each piece of dough with milk, and sprinkle sesame seeds on top. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until golden brown on top.
In the meantime, bring the sugar and water to a boil over medium high heat and leave it to boil for 5 to 10 minutes. Stir in well the honey and orange blossom water. Remove the buns from the oven and pour the sugar syrup on the top. Serve when syrup has cooled a bit.
Notes
So I was out of sesame seeds. But I am sure you will have something in your pantry to use as a substitute. I used poppy and hemp seeds to achieve the same look.
PIN IT HERE for later!
Check out more bread recipes from around the world here:
- Montreal Bagels
- Sabaayad flatbread common inDjibouti and Somalia
- Sourdough SeedAnadama Bread
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Alexa on January 24, 2024 at 02:14
Absolutely, the Yemeni cuisine is truly exceptional. I find it irresistible, and these dishes are incredibly delicious. I appreciate your dedication, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed exploring your recipes every month. Thank you for your culinary excellence!Reply
Evelyne on January 24, 2024 at 10:49
It’s my pleasure!
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Anita on April 1, 2022 at 22:34
I forgot to grab the orange blossom water, is it a a deal breaker or will it be ok without it?
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Evelyne on April 2, 2022 at 12:57
Hi Anita, I would let steep a bit of orange zest in boiling water with a bit of sugar. The orange blossom water brings a distinctive perfume you it will be good with a substitute.
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Hana on January 9, 2017 at 13:32
Thank you Evelyne for this recipe. I tried it and it’s absolutely delicious. I’m from Yemen, but live abroad now. Khaliat alnahl gave me a taste of home 🙂 . And yes, most Yemeni food is just as delicious. xx
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Evelyne on January 9, 2017 at 13:40
Thank you so much Hana for your comment and I am so glad you made the recipe and it reminded you of home 🙂 Have a great day! xx
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Rafeeda@The Big Sweet Tooth on May 12, 2016 at 08:13
Your Khailat An-Nahl looks amazing! So full of cheese… the next time I make it, I am also going to literally have a lot of cheese in it… 🙂
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Evelyne on May 12, 2016 at 12:01
Thanks Rafeeda, they were so good with so much cheese and it was not difficult to make the balls close well around ti 🙂
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Raymund on May 11, 2016 at 13:28
I would definitely love this! look at that cream cheese centre they look very additing
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Evelyne on May 12, 2016 at 11:56
I can vouch for the addiction factor 🙂 Thanks!
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Anne-Marie on May 11, 2016 at 00:38
Looks so delicious ! This is definitely going on my to cook list… Tks!
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Evelyne on May 11, 2016 at 07:25
I hope to taste test it when you do Anne-Marie 😉
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Serina aka Ms Frugal Ears on May 8, 2016 at 16:33
Oh my, that looks just so delicious. And what a beautiful name for the bread as well. I have never seen this before, or heard about it. Thank you for introducing me to something new.
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Evelyne on May 8, 2016 at 18:45
My pleasure for the intro Serina 🙂
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Sugar et al. on May 6, 2016 at 20:20
What pretty looking treats! How can you go wrong with orange blossom water and sesame seeds..so delicious!
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Evelyne on May 7, 2016 at 17:47
Thank you 🙂 Indeed a perfect combo of flavors!
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Viviane Bauquet Farre - Food and Style on May 6, 2016 at 04:57
Evelyne, you’ve done it again! Orange blossom perfumed syrup? Irresistible! What a unique regional cuisine, prepared to perfection. Yum!
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Evelyne on May 6, 2016 at 06:53
Thank you Viviane, and yes that syrup is the bomb! so good.
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Anna @ shenANNAgans on May 5, 2016 at 16:50
Ill take a slab to go thanks, seriously, what a yum looking bread, so much deliciousness, especially with that beautiful filling, its the kinder surprise of breads. Never heard of it before, but pleased I now have. Adding to my list to make one of these days. 🙂
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Evelyne on May 6, 2016 at 06:52
The kinder suprise of breads lol, love that analogy. Thanks Anna!
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Elizabeth @ Compass & Fork on May 5, 2016 at 09:03
Those look fantastic- the cheese! I like how you have told us the background as well. It would be hard to eat just one of these!
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Evelyne on May 5, 2016 at 09:18
Thank you Elizabeth. I always like to throw in some info on the actual country. Yeah never had less than 2 for sure lol.
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John/Kitchen Riffs on May 4, 2016 at 12:56
Gosh, what terrific looking bread! Looks gorgeous. And with the cream cheese surprise inside, what fun to eat! Haven’t heard of this, but so glad you introduced us. Thanks!
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Evelyne on May 4, 2016 at 15:47
Thanks John. the cream cheese followed by the orange blossom syrup…heaven!
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Katerina on May 4, 2016 at 05:35
You baked them to perfection Evelyne! I love anything bathed in syrup!
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Evelyne on May 4, 2016 at 07:00
Thanks Katerina, and yes syrup gooey sweets are so delicious 😀
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Agnes on May 3, 2016 at 21:41
Cheese filled honeycomb bread, what! sounds yummy
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Evelyne on May 4, 2016 at 06:59
Totally is amazing, Thanks Agnes
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GiGi Eats on May 3, 2016 at 19:12
Girl, this mouth used to POUND fluffy bread much like this… UGH! I WANTTTT IT!
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Evelyne on May 4, 2016 at 06:58
I am sure you did, there must be a way for you to GIGIfy the recipe? 🙂
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Krista Bjorn on May 3, 2016 at 18:20
This is absolutely gorgeous!! I can’t wait to try it. 🙂
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Evelyne on May 4, 2016 at 06:57
Thanks Krista, you won’t regret making them 🙂
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Liz on May 3, 2016 at 17:37
What gorgeous bread! I’d eat them with almost anything sprinkled on top—they’re irresistible!
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Evelyne on May 4, 2016 at 06:57
Thanks Liz, they are irresistible indeed 🙂
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Umm Hamza on May 3, 2016 at 13:19
I’m glad another person made the Khaliat Nahl, they were delicious right?! I admire the amount of cheese you managed to pack into yours! Mine were so small I dare not be so generous incase the buns burst with cheese lol
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Evelyne on May 3, 2016 at 15:26
Oh will have to check yours out! I was hesitant and I was sure some would burst in the oven lol but they were just fine.
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Balvinder on May 3, 2016 at 10:50
What a gorgeous bread 🙂 you have done it so well 🙂 looks so soft too
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Evelyne on May 3, 2016 at 12:16
Thanks Balvinder, actually the dough is a bit stiffer than most bread but a good thing as the filling could fall out lol.
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David @ Cooking Chat on May 3, 2016 at 07:32
looks like a tasty bread, and good instructional photos.
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Evelyne on May 3, 2016 at 12:16
Thank you David 🙂
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Nava K on May 3, 2016 at 07:27
Goodness! I don’t much about Yemeni fare, but I am loving these honeycomb bread. Lovely esp the filling.
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Evelyne on May 3, 2016 at 12:15
Thanks Nava, yeah it makes want to explore Yemeni food way more 😀
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Kirsty on May 3, 2016 at 05:32
What a cosy little nest of yum right there. Anything stuffed with cream cheese has GOT to be good. Love the colouring on the tops. I too don’t think I would stop at one 🙂
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Evelyne on May 3, 2016 at 12:14
I love your description Kristy “cosy little nest of yum” :-). Very hard to have just one, or three.
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Kia / KTS on May 3, 2016 at 01:27
Okay I know you might be shocked by this but I am not a huge bread eater. I don’t know why I’ve tried Evelyne lol. But when I showed my mother this recipe she was so happy I thought she was going to break dance lol. She she will be trying out this recipe lol. Thanks girl for this.
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Evelyne on May 3, 2016 at 12:14
OK Kia you need to send me a list of the foods you DON’T like lol, there are too many! But glad your mom is there to enjoy the recipe. She sounds like such an amazing cook hers with be superb!
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Kia / KTS on May 5, 2016 at 17:33
Okay I only don’t like bread and I’m allergic to peaches, and some other things LOL. See that is a short list. But my mom just brought the ingredients so I will tell you how it goes 🙂
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Evelyne on May 6, 2016 at 06:50
Ah not that long a list lol. Oh cannot wait to hear the results, go mom!
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Krysten (@themomnoms) on May 3, 2016 at 01:09
This looks absolutely amazing!
I bet my family would love this!! <3 Thanks for more inspiration!Reply
Evelyne on May 3, 2016 at 12:12
My pleasure Krysten 🙂
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Nagi@RecipeTinEats on May 2, 2016 at 20:27
Cheese and honey! I think I’m going to love this! So adorable! I can eat the whole batch! 😀
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Evelyne on May 3, 2016 at 12:12
Very hard not to eat the whole thing Nagi for sure!
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Famidha on May 2, 2016 at 10:34
WooooooW that looks so gorgeous.. I really feel like taking off the screen! 😀 Honestly I didn’t event realize we reached the end of MENA and I have clearly missed stating that fact and about Yemen! You have summed up all the details and a beautiful looking Khaliat nahal! I hope we go for a second round of MENA- can’t get enough!
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Evelyne on May 2, 2016 at 13:51
Thank you so much Famidha for your comment and I wish I could give you some from the screen 🙂 Without the site there was no confirmation it was the last country, we were all taken by surprise. I hope it is not the end too!
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Agness on May 2, 2016 at 00:56
That is one of my favourite snacks, no joke! So great to see how to make it. I used to eat it with a mug of hot milk! 🙂 Super delicious!
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Evelyne on May 2, 2016 at 13:46
Really? So funny you know is Agness! I wish I had more to have with hot milk now.
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Tandy | Lavender and Lime on May 2, 2016 at 00:03
What an interesting post and this bread is going on my to do list for sure ?
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Evelyne on May 2, 2016 at 13:45
Thanks Tandy and glad you may try it!
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Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella on May 1, 2016 at 22:53
Ooh I must make this! This sounds amazing and I have some cream cheese that needs using stat too. Thanks Eve!! 😀 x
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Evelyne on May 2, 2016 at 13:45
My pleasure, totally a MUST recipe Lorraine!
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mjskitchen on May 1, 2016 at 22:08
Just the bread alone sounds good to me, but the cheese takes it over the top Darlin! Can you send me a batch?
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Evelyne on May 2, 2016 at 13:44
Of course I can send you a batch MJ … oops, i just ate your batch 😉
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Noor on May 1, 2016 at 17:36
YES, all of Yemeni food is this good. I can’t get enough, it’s amazing and WOW these look soooooo good. Thanks for all your hard work, I’ve loved seeing your recipes monthly.
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Evelyne on May 1, 2016 at 17:46
Good to know Noor will have to try more. And thank you for the compliment. I hope more is too come of MENA in some form! Love seeing your recipes too.
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Wendy, A Day in the Life on the Farm on May 1, 2016 at 15:33
OH my Evelyne….how did you resist eating the whole pan?!
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Evelyne on May 1, 2016 at 17:43
Herculian willpower, not sure where it came from lol
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Angie@Angie's Recipes on May 1, 2016 at 14:15
My God…I would probably eat the whole batch at one go! This looks seriously good!
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Evelyne on May 1, 2016 at 17:45
It was really hard not to Angie, but just started trying to watch a bit what I eat. Will I did for a few days lol.
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