Jachnun is a traditional Yemenite pastry that’s bursting with mouth-watering flavors. While it may seem intimidating to make at first, with a little bit of patience and a lot of love, you’ll find that creating jachnun is easier than you think.

Read on for a step-by-step recipe guide that will have you savoring every last bite of this delectable pastry.

Step 1: The Dough

The key to any great jachnun is the dough, which can be a bit challenging to create but is well worth the effort.

For this recipe, you’ll need:

  • 500g flour
  • 30g sugar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 250ml warm water
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil

Mix all dry ingredients in a large bowl, then add in the warm water and oil. Knead the dough for at least 5-7 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic. Let the dough rest for 10 minutes, then divide it into 8 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a thin rectangle, then brush with vegetable oil.

Step 2: The Filling

Now it’s time to add the filling to your jachnun. Traditionally, this consists of butter, sugar, and a generous amount of crushed cardamom pods.

For this recipe, you’ll need:

  • 200g softened unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 tsp ground cardamom

Mix all ingredients in a bowl until well-combined, then spread the mixture onto your oiled dough rectangles. Roll each one up tightly, starting from the longest side, and place onto a lined baking tray with the seam side down.

Step 3: The Baking

Once your jachnuns are rolled and placed onto the baking tray, cover them with a damp cloth and leave them to rise at room temperature overnight.

The next morning, preheat your oven to 100°C and bake the jachnuns for 12-15 hours until they become a deep, caramelized color. Don’t worry if they seem a bit burnt or crispy – this is the mark of a true jachnun.

Step 4: The Serving

Now that your jachnuns are fresh out of the oven, it’s time to plate them up and enjoy. The best way to eat them is with a side of fresh tomato sauce, or zhug, and hard-boiled eggs.

Slice them thinly and drizzle them with the zhug for the perfect combination of spicy and savory flavors.

Conclusion

Now that you’ve got the inside scoop on creating delicious jachnuns, it’s time to get in the kitchen and start cooking. While it may take a little bit of time and effort, there’s no doubt that the end result is more than worth it.

So next time you’re looking for a unique and flavorful meal, give jachnun a try – you won’t regret it!