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Msemen Dough for Square-Shaped Moroccan Pancakes Recipe

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Msemen Dough creates ultra-thin, flaky square Moroccan pancakes through traditional folding technique. Perfect base for buttery rghaif-style flatbread served with honey, amlou, or cheese for breakfast.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup fine semolina flour
  • 2 tsp sugar
  • 2 tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp instant yeast
  • 1½ cups warm water (110°F)
  • For folding:
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • ½ cup fine semolina
  • ¼ cup very soft unsalted butter
  • Extra oil for hands and resting

Instructions

  • 1. Dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water. Mix flours and salt in large bowl. Add water mixture, knead 10 mins until smooth elastic dough forms (add flour/water 1 tbsp at a time as needed).
  • 2. Oil bowl and dough ball. Cover, rest 30 mins at room temp.
  • 3. Oil work surface generously. Divide dough into 12 golf-ball portions. Oil hands and balls, cover, rest 15 mins.
  • 4. Mix soft butter with 2 tbsp oil for spreading paste. Place semolina in shallow dish.
  • 5. Work one ball at a time: Oil surface, stretch dough paper-thin (12-14 inches circle, edges thinner). Spread 1 tsp butter paste over surface, sprinkle semolina. Fold like envelope: bottom third up, top third down, then sides to center creating square packet.
  • 6. Rest folded squares 10 mins covered. Heat skillet medium heat.
  • 7. Gently flatten each square to 6-inch with fingers (don’t roll). Cook 2 mins per side until golden layered. Stack under towel to steam soft.
  • 8. Serve warm split open with butter, honey, or amlou.

Notes

  • Dough must stretch paper-thin for flaky layers – practice makes perfect.
  • Semolina adds authentic texture; all-purpose works but less chewy.
  • Room temperature butter essential for spreading.
  • Freeze extra dough balls up to 3 months.
  • Hot mint tea perfect pairing.

Nutrition

Keywords: msemen dough, Moroccan square pancakes, rghaif msemen, flaky Moroccan flatbread

Find it online: https://dishfoody.com/msemen-dough-square-moroccan-pancakes-recipe/