afoona
Breads & Pastries

Sweet Jachnun – Pareve version

Sweet jachnun - a sweet version of the traditional Yemenite bread, with honey and butter, slow-baked in the oven Pareve version: Margarine.

⏱ 8 hr 30 min🍽 8 servings 🌍 Israeli👩‍🍳 Afoona🧩 2 parts

👨‍🍳 Method

For the Dough base

  1. 1
    Mix the flour, yeast, sugar and salt in a large bowl.
    Bowl
  2. 2
    Add the lukewarm water, vanilla and oil and Knead about 10 minutes, until the dough is smooth, pliable and doesn't stick to your hands.
    ⚙ KneadingBowlStand mixer
    💡For yeast dough, use the windowpane test: a small piece stretches into a thin, translucent sheet without tearing, and that's the sign the kneading is done. Add flour only by the tablespoon, and only if the dough is still sticky after a few minutes: too much flour makes a tough dough.
  3. 3
    Cover and Let rise 1 hour in a warm place, until the dough doubles in size.
    ⚙ ProofingPlastic wraporKitchen towel
    💡Let rise in a warm, draft-free spot. The dough is ready when it has doubled, and a gentle finger press leaves a dent that fills back slowly; if it springs right back, wait longer.

To assemble

  1. 4
    Divide the dough into 6 balls and roll each ball into a circle very thin on a work surface greased, until the dough is almost see-through.
    ⚙ Dividing into Balls and RollingRolling pin
    💡Dough that springs back needs rest: cover the balls for 10 minutes and the gluten relaxes.
  2. 5
    Spread the margarine and honey over each sheet.
  3. 6
    Fold each sheet in thirds lengthwise and roll into a tight log.
  4. 7
    Arrange the rolls in a greased heavy pot.
    Pot
  5. 8
    Close the pot with the lid and bake in the oven at 100°C (210°F) overnight (8–10 hours).
    OvenPot
    💡The low heat and closed pot bake the jachnun slowly in its own steam: it browns and caramelizes outside and stays soft in layers.
  6. 9
    Serve hot with crushed tomato and dates.
427calories
7 gprotein
58 gcarbs
18 gfat
● protein 7%● carbs 55%● fat 38%

Per serving (121 g), of 8 servings

For the Dough base · To assemble ·

A button hides that part of the recipe, in print too. Another click brings it back. The choice is kept for this recipe.

⚖ About the ingredients

🔧 Tools needed (4) · 🍳 One cooking vessel

  • Oven · 💡 Workaround, changes the dish: Toaster oven (Fits one small pan; good for small batches) · Air fryer (Small batches only, no runny batters) · Pot (Only for covered stews on the stovetop, no browning on top)
  • Pot · Also works: Deep skillet (sauté pan) (less liquid, faster evaporation) · 💡 Workaround, changes the dish: Wok (For quick cooking)
  • Rolling pin · Also works: Glass (for drinking/serving) (Bottle/glass, less even rolling) · Pasta machine (For pasta dough)
  • Bowl · Also works: Pot (None)

🧻 Consumables: Kitchen towel or Plastic wrap

Helps, not needed: Stand mixer

By the steps, as the recipe is built now: another version or addition can change the list.

🛒 Shopping list