How to Make Kermanshahi Kak Bread at Home + Exact Ingredients and Step-by-Step Recipe

According to Saednews, Kak is the name of a traditional and delightful Iranian sweet that, despite its simple appearance, carries a rich taste and pleasant aroma. This pastry, prepared with skill and precision, usually has a soft texture and a strong flavor of aromatic spices such as cardamom and sometimes saffron. Kak is not only a dessert for serving guests, but also a symbol of Iran’s rich pastry-making heritage. In the following section, you will get acquainted with several methods of preparing Kak.

Simple Kak Recipe Using Phyllo Dough

This recipe is a quick and easy way to prepare Kak using ready-made phyllo dough.

Ingredients for Kak Pastry

• Phyllo dough: 3 layers

• Powdered sugar: 300 g

• Melted butter: 200 g

• Ground pistachio: 100 g

• Almond or coconut powder (optional): 100 g

• Egg yolk: 1

Instructions

Step 1:
When opening the phyllo dough, cover it with a clean, slightly damp cloth to prevent it from drying out. Place the first layer on a baking tray and brush it evenly with melted butter, making sure it does not overflow the edges. Sprinkle powdered sugar evenly on top.

Step 2:
Place the second layer on top and repeat the buttering and sugar-sprinkling process. Add the third layer and repeat again.

Step 3:
After stacking all three layers, cover the surface with powdered sugar. Cut the dough into two parts, fold it, and slice it into rectangular or diagonal pieces using a sharp knife.

Step 4:
Grease a baking tray and arrange the pieces on it. Beat the egg yolk lightly and brush it over the pastries. Sprinkle pistachio, almond, or coconut powder on top. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (356°F) for about 15 minutes until golden and crisp.

Traditional Kermanshahi Kak (Nan-e Kak)

This traditional recipe describes the authentic Kermanshah-style Kak, known for its crisp texture and pleasant flavor.

Ingredients

• Wheat flour: 600 g

• Warm water: 100 ml

• Melted solid oil: 100 g

• Instant dry yeast: 1 tsp

• Egg: 1

• Salt: 1 tsp

• Powdered sugar or sugar: as needed

• Cardamom: as needed

• Water (27°C): 1/4 cup

Instructions

Step 1:
Mix 1/4 cup warm water with sugar and yeast. Stir and let it rest for about 10 minutes until activated.

Step 2:
In another bowl, mix water, egg, and melted oil until smooth. Add the activated yeast mixture and stir.

Step 3:
Combine salt with flour and gradually add it to the mixture. Knead until a soft dough forms.

Step 4:
Cover the dough and let it rest for 2 hours until it doubles in size.

Step 5:
Divide the dough into small balls, dust lightly with flour, and let them rest for another 10 minutes.

Step 6:
Roll each piece thin like lavash bread. Cook on a hot pan or griddle.

Step 7:
Mix powdered sugar and cardamom. Once cooked, fill half of the bread with the mixture, roll it, press gently, and slice diagonally.

Northern Kak (Kaka Rashti – Gilan Style)

Kaka Rashti is a traditional sweet from Gilan Province. It is simple, delicious, and does not require an oven, making it a perfect homemade snack.

Gilan-Style Rice Flour Kaka (Traditional Method)

This is the most basic and traditional version of Kaka, which can be made plain or with additions like walnuts and raisins.

Ingredients

• Rice flour: 1 cup

• Milk: 1/2 cup

• Egg: 1

• Sugar: 1/2 cup

• Chopped walnuts (optional): 1/4 cup

• Raisins (optional): 1/4 cup

• Saffron (optional): as needed

• Cinnamon: 1 tsp

• Cardamom powder: 1/2 tsp

• Baking powder (optional): 1 tsp

Instructions

Step 1:
Mix milk with rice flour gradually until smooth. Add baking powder if using.

Step 2:
Add sugar. In a separate bowl, beat the egg and add it to the mixture. Then add saffron, walnuts, and raisins.

Step 3:
Heat a non-stick pan with oil. Pour a small amount of batter and spread it thin. Cover and cook for about 5 minutes until golden.

Step 4:
Flip and cook the other side. Remove and place on paper towels to absorb excess oil.

Simple Northern Kak with Wheat Flour (No Pumpkin Version)

Ingredients

• Wheat flour: 1 cup

• Rice flour: 1 cup

• Sugar: 1/2 cup

• Milk: 1 cup

• Eggs: 2

• Cinnamon powder: 2 tsp

• Vanilla: 1/2 tsp

• Baking powder: 2 tsp

Instructions

Step 1:
Beat eggs with sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon. Add both flours and mix.

Step 2:
Add milk and mix until smooth. Fry the mixture in a lightly oiled pan over low heat until both sides are golden.

Notes

• Yogurt (2/3 cup) can be used instead of milk.

• Without baking powder, the texture becomes flatter and less cake-like.

Additional Notes

• Preparation time: about 2 hours and 20 minutes

• Cooking time: about 20 minutes

• Kak is typically served as a snack or afternoon treat.