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Macedonian Dinner Rolls with Feta Cheese – Kifli

by Katerina

4.50 from 8 votes

Apr 20, 2011, Updated Aug 28, 2021

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Macedonian Dinner Rolls with Feta Cheese are buttery, soft dinner rolls filled with feta cheese and topped with sesame seeds. They’re the perfect side for any dinner!

AN EASY HOMEMADE DINNER ROLLS RECIPE

So you wanna boast about your domesticated self? In our culture, this is where it starts – with Kifli (Кифли). Say it with me: KEEF-LEE.

This is the stuff wives-to-be are supposed to know. Yeah right! bahaha The correct word is were supposed to know – baby boomers changed all that – phewww! Thanks guys!

But, in all honesty, if you’re going to bake in a Macedonian household, then it’s best to know how to make homemade bread first, then Kifli, then Maznik, and finally, the big star, Zelnik, which is a layered pastry dough stuffed with greens, cheese, meat, sauerkraut, and so on. Yep, all of that makes a good Macedonian housewife.

In time for big holidays, birthdays, Saint Patron Days, and so forth, Kifli, or Dinner Rolls with Sesame Seeds and Feta Cheese, are almost always the centerpiece on that table, or somewhere very near to it. What’s good about these rolls is that they are very versatile. You can stuff them with feta cheese, or even meat, have them plain, or dunk them in some homemade yogurt. They are enjoyed as a starter, with a salad, or as a dinner roll.

I prefer to snack on them… all day long. I think I ate one entire batch before they were finally done. Ana helped.

I have a total of nine different recipes for these. Everyone always has the “best” Kifli recipe – I just jot down their version and give it a go as soon as I get a moment. This particular one that I’m going to share with you is probably the easiest, and, in my opinion, the tastiest. The method of preparation may seem a bit off, but just follow the recipe and don’t question it. In the end, you will have about 40 soft, delicious Kifli filled to the rim with feta cheese! Make sure to share with your family.

ENJOY!

***For those that need the original recipe for my Kifli, you can grab it  here.

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4.50 from 8 votes

Kifli - Macedonian Dinner Rolls

by Katerina | Diethood

Servings: 16

Ingredients 

1x2x3x

• ▢ 2 tablespoons + 1/4 teaspoon active dry yeast
• ▢ 1 tablespoon sugar
• ▢ 200 ml warm water
• ▢ 6 cups all purpose flour
• ▢ 250 ml warm milk
• ▢ 125 ml vegetable oil
• ▢ 1 teaspoon salt
• ▢ 3 whole eggs
• ▢ 8 tablespoons butter

Filling

• ▢ 1 cup crumbled Feta cheese
• ▢ 1 cup Ricotta Cheese

Glaze

• ▢ 2 large eggs, beaten
• ▢ 1 tablespoon water
• ▢ sesame seeds

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Instructions 

• In a bowl, stir together yeast, sugar, and water; set in a warmer place to activate. Let sit until it gets thick and foamy - about 15 to 20 minutes.
• In the meantime, add flour to your mixer's bowl; make a well in the middle and add warm milk to the well, vegetable oil, salt, and eggs. Don't mix until you've added in the prepared yeast.
• Pour yeast mixture into the flour mixture; using a large spoon, mix it all together to combine.
• Then, attach the dough hook to your stand mixer and finish kneading for about 2 to 3 minutes, or until dough starts to separate from the bowl. If dough is too dry, add a tablespoon of milk, if it's too wet add more flour, 1 tablespoon at a time. Dough shouldn't be too sticky, but you also don't want it to be dry.
• Spray a large mixing bowl with cooking spray and sprinkle it with a bit of flour to prevent sticking.
• Transfer prepared dough to the oiled bowl ; fold dough into a circle; add more flour to the bowl and a sprinkle of flour on top of the dough ball.
• Cover with plastic wrap and let rise for 30 minutes. It's best (and faster) to let the dough rise in a warmer spot.
• Combine feta cheese and ricotta cheese in a bowl; set aside for later.
• Preheat oven to 400˚F.
• Turn the dough over to a flour dusted work area and fold it on all sides; then, cut in half. Cut each half in 3 parts so you have a total of 6 pieces. Fold all pieces into small balls. Keep them covered.
• Take a ball of dough and lightly punch it down to spread and then roll it out into a round circle the size of about a medium pizza. Make sure to flour your work area often so the dough does not stick.
• Cut into 8 to 12 slices, depending on the size of the dough’s diameter.
• Add a tablespoon of the ricotta/feta cheese mixture to each slice. Place the filling at the top of the slice, right in the center.
• Roll them up; pull the sides of the widest part at the top and tuck them inward, right over the filling, and continue to roll.
• Repeat with the rest of the dough.
• Transfer kifli/rolls to baking sheets; place a pat of butter on top of each roll.
• Bake for 5 minutes at 400˚F.
• Prepare the glaze; combine eggs and water in a small bowl and beat to combine.
• Remove Kifli from oven and brush with egg glaze; sprinkle with sesame seeds and continue to bake for 11 to 13 more minutes, or until golden.

Nutrition

Calories: 373kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 84mg | Sodium: 341mg | Potassium: 116mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 382IU | Calcium: 112mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.

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