For as long as I can remember, my family has occasionally made a sweet bread called Afghan rote. I think my parents got the recipe from a friend, and we have made it ever since. Now it has been entered into the family recipes. I think of it as a dessert, but I have read that it is an Afghan food Afghans usually have it with breakfast, or it is eaten with tea. I don’t drink tea or coffee, but I think rote and coffeecake are delicious. This is like all other easy bread recipes except for the inclusion of cardamom.
Afghan flatbread, afghan kebabs, and Afghani naan all are popular ones in Afghan cuisine. But this golden brown rote is more like a good-to-go dish and easy to make. Except for cardamom, you do not need to worry about the ingredients. It is easily available at a grocery store. And so I thought about presenting the recipe for Afghan sweet bread.
Afghan Rote Secret Ingredient
Rote is primarily flavored with cardamom powder. It is among the popular dishes in afghan. Because of the cardamom, it is more expensive than the average spice. But you can make it on special occasions. I’m going to share a little information about it for you to make it seem worth making the investment. Cardamom is likely one of those spices that Christopher Columbus sailed around the world trying to find. It hasn’t become as popular in the West as cinnamon and other spices to which cardamom could be compared. Like cinnamon, a little cardamom goes a long way.
There are a number of delicious dishes that cardamom can be used in preparing. Basically, if you buy cardamom to make this rote, and you like spices like nutmeg and cinnamon, then you will not regret it. The best part is you can make this afghan meal with an oven. I love Indian food, and a lot of Indian dishes include cardamom. All of the sweet or spicy Afghan dishes or recipes contain cardamom. In South Asia, you will find various types of spices even in tea, especially in Afghan culture. I had a tea-less Chai frozen yogurt at Yogurtland yesterday that was delicious, it had cardamom.
When my dad sent me this recipe he attached this little poem he wrote. He is a therapist who works with soldiers and their families.
Afghan Rote Recipe
A traditional Afghan Recipe - Afghan Rote.
Ingredients
- Ingredients
- 1 package dry yeast or a little less than 1 T (no need for a quick rise yeast)
- 1/2 cup warm water
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 3 cups flour
- 1 1/2 tsp - baking powder
- 1/2 tsp ground cardamom
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup oil
- poppy seeds
Instructions
- Mix warm water and yeast (dough doesn't have to rise) in a large round bowl.
- Add wet and dry ingredients and mix thoroughly.
- The dough will look and feel like cookie dough.
- Grease your pan if your oven proof pan needs it.
- Press out dough onto pizza pan or cookie sheet with clean hands. I used a baking stone.
- Scour dough with fork in perpendicular directions.
- Top with poppy seeds according to your preference.
- Bake for 30 minutes at 350 F.
- Allow it to cool, and cut it into squares to serve....at least that how we do it. To store, use dry airtight storage conditions.
This afghani food does not require an extra food processor except for the hot oven. If you are trying it for the first time I recommend you use less cardamom powder or you will feel overwhelmed with the smell. Remember to add little oil to the baking pan so that it does not stick. Consider making a good shape before baking. The bread will not rise so a round circle will look good. Generally afghans don’t use it on the bread, but you can try dried fruits on it. In case you do not have poppy seeds use sesame seeds. It won't change the taste. Don't over bake it or you will find the bottom crust burnt. It depends on the strength of your oven.
Enjoy this rote, Afghan bread,
And remember those
who foreign soil still tread;
And their families at home,
who also serve.
Our heartfelt thanks,
Our prayers, our support,
They well deserve.
-Kelvin Clark 2008
Helan says
Thanks For Sharing this Amazing Recipe. My Family Loved It. I will be sharing this Recipe with my Friends. Hope They will like it.
Katy says
I’ve used this recipe a million times, at this point. I make it either frequently, or in bulk because Afghans near and far will descend when they learn there’s kolcha (rote) to be had. My Pashtun husband loves this stuff with cream cheese and honey.
Katie says
I’m so glad! Thank you for sharing!
S. Aziz says
Came out horrible.. I followed the directions carefully as stated. So many variations of this recipe that it’s hard to know which one to try.
Katie says
So sorry to hear that! Can you explain exactly what you mean when you say it came out horribly? We’ve made this many times and never had an issue.
Skyla says
I was so happy to find this recipe. Growing up there was a little store, down the street from where I lived, run by an Afghani family. They made and sold this bread. I’ve made this several times now and each time it’s a hit of nostalgia. Thank you.
Katie says
Oh I love that! Thank you for sharing!
Lindsey says
After years of searching for a rhote recipe, I’m ecstatic to have found this. I’m so ready to try this out. My favorite memories of Afghanistan are and will always be the food and how asking for the recipe is the greatest compliment in any culture.
Kate says
I absolutely LOVE cardamom, especially in baked goods, but I never would have thought of putting it in bread!
Alice, Pretty Confused says
I love cardamom, but I had never thought of putting it in bread. Can’t wait to try this out xo
Laura says
I love cardamom yeast breads, I bet this is fantastic.
FrugalFoodieMama says
I love cardamom! Chai spice is one of my favorite spice mixes… along with Chinese Five Spice. 🙂
Amber Brady says
Sounds like a fun ethnic recipe to try! Thanks for sharing at Sweet & Savory Saturdays #9.
~Amber @ https://dessertnowdinnerlater.blogspot.com/