Jumbo Zaatar Babka Muffins Recipes

JUMBO ZAATAR BABKA MUFFINS

Steps:

• For the dough: Whisk together the warm milk, yeast and 2 teaspoons of the sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook. Allow to sit until it begins to bubble, about 5 minutes. Start the mixer and add the salt and eggs. Mix until the eggs are incorporated.
• Add the flour and remaining 1/4 cup sugar in batches, allowing the flour to fully incorporate with the dough between additions. Continue to mix until well combined. Add the butter in small pieces, allowing each addition to fully incorporate before adding more. Leave the mixer running to continue kneading the dough for 10 minutes. Place the dough in an oiled bowl, then cover with a towel or plastic wrap and allow to rise until it has doubled in size, about 1 hour.
• For the filling: Knead the dough on a floured surface for a few minutes to form a nice ball, then roll it out with a rolling pin into an 18-by-12-inch rectangle. Spread the olive oil over the dough and sprinkle with the Cheddar, sesame seeds, chile flakes, pine nuts, oregano and zaatar. Starting from the longer side, roll the dough up a quarter of the way at a time, similar to how you make a cinnamon roll, resulting in an 18-inch log. Cut the log in half, then slice each half into 12 pieces. Spray a muffin tin with nonstick spray, then flour it. Twist one piece of dough into a figure 8 and place in the muffin tin. Twist another piece and place in the same cavity-each muffin should be made of 2 pieces. Press down on the dough firmly to be sure it fits snugly. You will have 12 total muffins. Cover with a kitchen towel and set aside for 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• For the egg wash: Beat together the egg with 1 tablespoon water. Brush the tops of the muffins with the egg wash and sprinkle with zaatar and flaky salt. Bake until risen and golden, for 20 to 22 minutes. Allow muffins to cool at least 15 minutes, then use a sharp paring knife to run around the edges to release them from the pan.

MANAKEESH ZAATAR

Steps:

• For the zaatar: Combine the sesame seeds, sumac, thyme and salt together in an airtight container.
• For assembly and serving: Preheat the broiler. After it has risen, divide the full dough recipe in half, reserving one half to make Spinach Fatayer (keep the extra dough covered until ready to use). Cut the remaining half into 6 equal portions and roll each into a small ball shape. Preheat a large skillet over medium heat. Flatten one ball with the rolling pin, then prick lightly all over with a fork to prevent puffing.
• Cook each dough round in the skillet over medium heat until toasted and browned in spots on the first side, 2 to 3 minutes, then remove from the heat (the dough will only be cooked on one side). Repeat with the remaining dough balls.
• Meanwhile, mix 1/4 cup zaatar with 1/3 cup olive oil in a small bowl. Spread some of the mixture on the uncooked sides of the flatbreads, place on a baking sheet and broil until they are golden and crisp on top, about 2 minutes. Serve the manakeesh zaatar with sliced pickles, olives, tomatoes and mint.
• Mix the flour, yeast, olive oil and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment. Add the warm water, a little at a time, until the dough starts to come together into one mass and forms around the hook. Increase the speed to high and continue kneading for 4 minutes.
• Dust a work surface with flour and transfer the dough to it. Continue kneading by hand, then form the dough into a large ball, dust lightly with flour and place in a large bowl. Cover with a kitchen towel and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour.