Description
Rooti Farmaajo, also known as Honeycomb Cheese Bread, is a delightful Somali bread featuring soft, fluffy rolls filled with creamy spreadable cheese. These rolls are enriched with warm milk, fragrant cardamom, and topped with sweetened condensed milk and shredded coconut, creating a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors. Ideal for breakfast or tea time, this bread offers a unique texture reminiscent of honeycomb, making it a beloved treat in Somali cuisine.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 2/3 cup (160 milliliters) warm whole milk, plus more for egg wash
- 2 teaspoons (6 grams) active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon plus 2 tablespoons cane sugar
- 2 1/4 cups (298 grams) all-purpose flour, plus more if needed
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom (optional)
- 2 large eggs, each cracked into a separate bowl and beaten
- 4 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon (62 grams) melted salted butter
Filling and Topping
- 1 (5.4- or 6-ounce) package The Laughing Cow Original spreadable cheese wedges, chilled
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) sweetened condensed milk, plus more to taste
- 1/4 cup (20 grams) unsweetened finely shredded coconut flakes
Instructions
- Activate Yeast and Prepare Dough: In a small bowl, combine the warm milk, active dry yeast, and 1 teaspoon of cane sugar. Stir to combine and let it sit for 10 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is activated. Meanwhile, in a larger bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour, sea salt, baking powder, optional ground cardamom, and the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar. Once the yeast mixture is foamy, add it to the flour mixture along with one beaten egg and 3 tablespoons of melted butter. Knead the mixture within the bowl for about 5 minutes until a sticky dough forms. Add more flour if the dough feels too sticky. Lightly grease the shaped dough with 1 teaspoon of melted butter, cover it with a clean dish towel, and allow it to rise at room temperature for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Prepare Pan and Shape Dough Balls: Grease a 9-inch round springform pan with the remaining 1 tablespoon of melted butter and preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare the cheese by cutting the chilled cheese wedges into 30 small pieces, about 1/2 teaspoon each. Once the dough has doubled, divide it into two equal halves. Roll one half into a thick rope and cut it crosswise into 15 equal pieces. Take each piece, roll it into a ball, then flatten it into a disk. Place one piece of cheese in the center, pinch the dough closed at the top to seal the cheese inside, and then roll it gently to form a smooth ball again. Place these filled dough balls into the greased pan with the smooth side facing up, spacing them evenly. Repeat with the other half of the dough. Cover the pan and allow the dough to rise for another 15 minutes.
- Apply Egg Wash and Bake: After the second rise, mix the remaining beaten egg with a splash of whole milk to create an egg wash. Brush this over the dough balls carefully to give them a glossy finish when baked. Bake the bread in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes or until the rolls are golden brown and cooked through.
- Finish and Serve: Once baked, remove the rolls from the oven and immediately drizzle sweetened condensed milk over the top for a touch of sweetness. Sprinkle the shredded coconut flakes evenly on top as a final garnish. Serve the Rooti Farmaajo warm, enjoying the combination of soft bread, melted cheese filling, and sweet coconut topping. These rolls can be stored in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
Notes
- Ensure the milk used to activate the yeast is warm but not hot to avoid killing the yeast.
- Cardamom is optional but adds traditional fragrance and depth to the flavor.
- You can substitute The Laughing Cow cheese wedges with any spreadable cream cheese if unavailable.
- For a richer dough, use whole milk and salted butter as specified.
- The bread is best enjoyed fresh but can be refrigerated and gently warmed before serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Somali
Keywords: Somali bread, Honeycomb cheese bread, Rooti Farmaajo, cheese-filled bread rolls, sweet bread with cheese, coconut topping bread, homemade cheese bread
