At Khalifa Bakers, our Makhan Baqar Khani is a customer favorite, a beautifully layered, flaky pastry with a rich, buttery taste that simply melts in your mouth. Inspired by traditional recipes, this treat has been a staple in our bakery for years. If you’d like to recreate this beloved Pakistani delight at home, we’re excited to share our process with you.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup semolina (suji)
- 1/2 cup cold butter or ghee (cubed)
- 1/2 cup cold water
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp sugar
- Sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions:
1. Prepping the Dough
- Start by combining the flour, semolina, salt, and sugar in a mixing bowl. Semolina is the secret ingredient that adds that satisfying crispiness to our Baqar Khani at Khalifa Bakers.
- Add the cold butter (or ghee) cubes, and gently rub it into the dry ingredients until you have a crumbly texture. We always handle our dough with care, ensuring the butter is evenly incorporated to achieve that signature flakiness.
- Slowly add cold water, a little at a time, until the dough just comes together. The dough should be firm yet pliable, but avoid overworking it to keep it light and flaky.
2. Shaping the Baqar Khani
- Divide the dough into small portions and roll each portion into a ball, then flatten it slightly with your palm.
- Lightly dust a rolling surface and roll each dough portion into a round shape, about 1/4 inch thick.
- To add an authentic Khalifa Bakers touch, sprinkle sesame seeds on each Baqar Khani and gently press them down. The sesame seeds add a lovely crunch and flavor, while also giving it the traditional look.
3. Chilling the Dough
- One of our secrets at Khalifa Bakers is to chill the dough after shaping. Place the Baqar Khanis on a tray and refrigerate for at least 15–20 minutes. This helps maintain their shape and ensures each layer bakes to perfection.
4. Baking to Golden Perfection
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
- Place the chilled Baqar Khanis on the tray and bake for 20–25 minutes, or until they’re golden and crisp. At our bakery, we know that watching the oven is essential – the Baqar Khani should turn a beautiful golden color without over-browning.
5. Cooling and Serving
- Allow them to cool slightly before serving. You’ll notice the layers flaking beautifully as they cool, giving you that signature buttery, crispy texture Khalifa Bakers is known for.
- Enjoy your homemade Baqar Khani with a cup of chai or coffee for a true Pakistani tea-time experience.
The Khalifa Bakers Difference
Creating Makhan Baqar Khani at home can be rewarding, but it’s a delicacy that takes time and care to perfect. At Khalifa Bakers, we’ve spent years refining our recipe to bring out the best in every layer and every bite. If you want to experience the authentic taste, we’re always here with freshly baked Baqar Khanis ready to make your tea time special.
We hope this recipe brings a touch of Khalifa Bakers’ tradition to your home. Happy baking!
