Kifli (kifla, kifle, or kipferl) are crescent-shaped buns popular throughout Central and Eastern Europe, particularly in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, and Austria.
Ingredients of Kifli
- Six cups of all-purpose flour
- 3 teaspoons of active dry yeast.
- Ingredients: 1 tablespoon sugar, 2 teaspoons salt.
- 1¼ cup warm water (approx. 95 degrees Fahrenheit/36 degrees Celsius)
- ¾ cup warm milk (95 F/36 C)
- 3 ounces of yoghurt
- ¼ cup oil
For decor
- One egg white, slightly beaten
- Salt
- 4 tablespoons melted butter.
- Equipment
- Stand mixer (US Customary – Metric)
Instructions for Kifli
Combine the flour, yeast, and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer.
Dig a well in the center.
In a large bowl, combine the water, yogurt, milk, and oil.
Add this mixture to the center of the well and use the dough hook to knead for 3 minutes on low speed.
Increase the speed to medium, then add the salt and knead for 5 minutes.
Stop the stand mixer and let it stand for 5 minutes before continuing to knead for another 5 minutes.
The kifli dough should be somewhat stiff. If it’s too soft, add some flour.
Sprinkle flour on a work surface, then arrange the dough on top.
Roll the dough for two minutes.
Place the dough back into the bowl of the stand mixer and cover with a cloth.
Allow the dough to rise for one hour in a warm spot away from drafts.
Divide the dough in two.
Roll out each piece of dough into a circle about 18 inches (45 cm) in diameter.
Using a dough cutter or pizza wheel, cut each circle in the center to make 8 triangle slices.
Cut a small incision in the center of the triangle’s right side with the tip of a knife.
Roll each triangle into a crescent, finishing at the tip.
Place them on a baking tray coated with parchment paper, spacing them evenly and with the ends facing down.
Cover with a cloth and allow to rise again for 20 minutes in a warm, draft-free area.
Preheat the oven to 390 Fahrenheit (200 Celsius).
Brush each kifla with egg white and season with salt.
Bake for 15–20 minutes, or until golden brown.
Remove from the oven, immediately brush with melted butter, and set aside for 10 minutes before serving.
