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5.0 from 3 votes

Bint al Sahn

Bint al sahn is a traditional Yemenite cake that is deliciously covered with honey.

Prep Time
1 hr
Cook Time
mins
Total Time
1 hr 25 mins
Servings: 8 people
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Middle Eastern , Yemeni

Ingredients

  • 3 eggs
  • 3¼ cups flour
  • ½ cup butter , melted
  • 1 tablespoon dry yeast
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • ¼ cup butter
  • 1 egg yolk
  • sesame seeds (or nigella seeds)
  • honey (warm)
Equipment
  • Stand mixer
  • springform pan (10 inches / 25 cm)
  • Brush
  • Rolling pin

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Dissolve yeast in ¼ cup (60 ml) of lukewarm water (80 F / 30˚C).
  2. Set aside for 10 minutes until it gets foamy.
  3. In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients: flour, salt.
  4. Add 3 eggs, melted butter and activated yeast.
  5. Knead the dough for about 15 minutes until the dough starts to hold up. Cover with a dry cloth and set aside 30 minutes.
  6. Separate the dough into small balls of 2½ oz (70 g) each. Keep a 3 oz (90 g) ball for the top layer of the cake. There should be between 10 to 12 balls total.
  7. Let rise another 30 minutes.
  8. Preheat the oven to 400 F (200˚C).
  9. Generously grease a 10-inch (25 cm) springform pan.
  10. Using a rolling pin, roll the first ball of dough as thinly as possible.
  11. Place the layer of dough in the pan.
  12. Using a brush, drizzle melted butter over this layer of dough.
  13. Continue this process for the rest of the dough sheets. For the final layer, coat with egg yolk and sprinkle with black nigella seeds.
  14. Bake for 25 minutes until the cake is golden.
  15. When the butter is still oozing, drizzle generously honey on top of the cake. Serve warm.