I was sitting in a popular coffee and chai house with this beautiful piece of bread that was so soft, slightly sweet, and shaped like a honeycomb. This is one of my favorite bread that I use to make when I started baking, so I decided to share the recipe with you. Honeycomb Bread (Khilat Nahl) is an easy effortless recipe and loved by all of my family. There is nothing you can compare this bread with. Mostly it’s popular in middle East but new coffee houses and chai places usually serve this bread.
What goes into honeycomb bread
Dough Ingredients
To make dough for the bread, you’ll need all-purpose flour, instant yeast, sugar, salt, eggs, milk, oil, and water only if you need any. Make sure to use warm milk and water to provide the right temperature for the yeast to activate. Put all the ingredients in a bowl and knead to make a dough. I used an electric mixer, but you can also knead it with your hands.
Once you have the dough ready, apply some oil and cover it with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel and keep it in a warm place. It will rise, which will take anywhere from 30-60 minutes, depending on the temperature.
I usually keep it in the oven or microwave when it is not turned on.
Sugar Syrup
Once you are done making the dough, leave it to rise in a warm place. Meanwhile, go ahead and combine sugar and water in a bowl and start cooking on medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Now add honey and mix it well. The sugar syrup is ready. Leave it on the side to cool down.
Cheese
I used fresh mozzarella cheese cut into 1-inch cubes. You can use cream cheese or any other cheese of your choice.
Once your dough is double in size, punch it down to release the air and roll it out. Now cut it into small squares with the help of a pizza cutter.
Turn each dough square into a dough ball and fill it with cheese in the center.
Eggwash
Beat one egg with 1 tablespoon of milk or water and apply it to the bread with the help of a brush before baking. You can also add sesame seeds on top if you prefer.
Baking time
I baked my bread at 350°F for 40 minutes; the time might change depending on the oven and the size of the bread. Once it is baked and still hot, drizzle the sugar syrup on it.
You can also brush only a little bit on and serve the rest on the side.
How to shape dough balls
Shaping the dough balls is very easy; use a pinch and tuck-in method. Take a piece of dough and start stretching from one corner and tuck it into the center. Keep repeating until you have the right shape.
It doesn’t have to be perfect, as the dough is going to rise one more time, and it will fit in the pan.
How to store leftover Honeycomb Bread (Khilat Nahl)
I usually like to share my bread with friends and family, as there’s something special about gathering together over a freshly baked loaf. It’s a delightful way to connect, share stories, and enjoy some quality time.
If you find yourself with more bread than you can consume in that timeframe, fear not! You can also freeze it in a freezer bag. This way, you can preserve its quality for an extended period. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, simply reheat it as needed. Whether it’s a slice for breakfast or a base for a delicious sandwich, homemade bread is always a treat!
How to serve Honeycomb bread
Honeycomb makes a perfect appetizer with some coffee or chai, providing a delightful complement to your beverage of choice.
Alot of cafes these days serve this unique bread along with their famous drinks, offering customers a sweet and savory experience that enhances the overall flavor profile of their menu.
Honeycomb Bread (Khilat Nahl)
Ingredients
For dough
- 3 cups flour
- 2 tsp yeast
- 2 eggs 1 for dough and 1 for eggwash
- 1 cup milk to knead the dough (warm)
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 6 tbsp butter melted
- 2 tbsp milk powder optional
- 1/2 tsp salt
- Water if needed
For sugar syrup
- 3/4 cups sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tsp honey
For filling
- 6 oz fresh mozzarella cheese cut into small cubes.
Instructions
Prepare Dough
- To make the dough add all the ingredients of dough in a bowl except for milk and water. Warm up the milk on a stovetop or in a microwave. Now slowly start adding warm milk and knead it to make a soft dough. Add warm water if needed.
- Once the dough is ready leave it in a warm place to rise.
Prepare Sugar Syrup
- Add 3/4 cup of sugar and 1/2 cup of water in a saucepan. Cook it on medium heat while stirring, once sugar is dissolved keep cooking for another 4-5 minutes. Add 1 tsp of honey. Mix it and the sugar syrup is ready. Let it cool down.
Shape the honeycombs
- Once the dough doubles in size, punch it down to release all the air and roll it to make a flat circle a little bigger than the pan you are baking in. Cut the dough into about 40 pieces with the help of a pizza cutter.
- Now grab a piece of dough and stretch it a little, add a cube of cheese in the center, and pinch the sides to make a round ball. Continue with the rest of the dough. This dough will be enough to make one 12-inch bread or two 6-inch breads. Now place the dough balls in the tray with the seam side down.
- Rest it for about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, crack an egg in a bowl and add 1 tbsp of milk. Mix it with the help of a fork to make an eggwash for the bread.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F
- After 30 minutes of resting the dough, brush it with eggwash.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 40-50 minutes depending upon the size of the bread. Once it’s golden from the top take it out. Pour the sugar syrup on it. You can also brush a little syrup and serve the rest of it on the side.