In Bosnia and neighboring countries phyllo dough (orignally jufka – read yoofkah) is often made for pastries such as pita/burek or baklava. Even though phyllo can be bought at the store or bakery, fresh, homemade phyllo is always the best! In the past it was very desirable for a young woman to know how to make jufka. Often after a girl learned how to make phyllo, family members would jokingly say “Well now you CAN get married!” Sooo, I hope you can imagine how important phyllo dough is in a young girl’s life and in what kind of pressure I was to learn how to make it! 🙂 A Bosnian husband wants a wife who knows how to make pita and baklava! All jokes aside, I really like that I’ve learned how to make jufka, to keep tradition alive and to treat my family and friends with this delicious food of my ancestors.
Phyllo dough can be made two ways (that I know of). One, with a very long rolling pin and other, with pulling and stretching dough by hand until paper thin. I use the second technique because it’s easier and somewhat less time consuming.
When making phyllo dough, give yourself plenty of time, as this is a process of kneading – resting – kneading – resting – resting – stretching – baking… plus preparing the filling. It is time consuming, but so well worth it in the end!
There are different recipes for phyllo, which warry in adding or excluding one or two ingredients. The key ingredients are flour, warm water and salt. Some add an egg to it, some add vinegar, some oil, depending on how it’s made in their family. I also want to point out that you can’t use any kind of flour for phyllo. I’ve tried 4-5 different brands with horrible results (the dough wouldn’t stretch, it was rubbery and ended up in the trash can). In the US the best flour for phyllo (in my opinion) is King Arthur all-purpose flour.
Also, there are different ways of shaping phyllo pastries. Two traditional Bosnian ways are to shape it as swirls or layer it. Here I will show how to make pita/burek swirls.
Homemade Phyllo Dough or Jufka (Yufka) Printable recipe
*** This is a recipe for a larger quanity. You may use just half the measure.
Ingredients:
- 5 cups (640 g) flour (King Arthur all-purpose flour)
- 1 ½ tsp salt
- 2 ¼ cups (530 ml) warm water
- 1 tbsp vinegar
- 1 tbsp oil
Also needed:
- Cotton table cloth or fabric to cover the table for stretching the dough
- Pizza knife or any sharp knife
- Large baking pan
- Oil to grease the pan
***FILLINGS (For the above quantity of dough use about 1 lb of any two fillings below)
Cottage cheese filling (cottage cheese, sour cream, egg and salt)
Ground beef feeling (finely chop onion and sauté in a bit of oil, add ground beef and sauté just until brown, salt and pepper to taste)
Spinach filling (blanched spinach, cottage cheese or ricotta cheese, sour cream, egg, salt)
Preparation:
- Combine flour and salt in a mixing bowl. Combine warm water, vinegar and oil and slowly start pouring into flour mixing the whole time. If the dough is sticky add more flour.
- Divide the dough into 6 equal pieces (3 pieces if using ½ above measure). Knead each piece on a flour dusted surface about 50 times and form it into a ball. Make sure each ball is dusted with flour, cover with plastic wrap and let it rest for 20-30 minutes.
- After resting the dough balls will be soft to touch and smoother than before. Repeat the kneading process and again form them into balls, just this time coat every piece with cooking oil so they look nice and shiny. Cover again with plastic wrap and let rest for another 20-30 minutes.
- Brush your working surface with oil and roll out the ball of dough into an approx. 12 X 7 inch oval (30 X 18 cm). Brush the top of it with oil and let it rest for at least 15 minutes.
- Cover the table with cloth, grease the baking pan and pre-heat the oven to 425 F (218 C).
- Place the rolled out dough piece on a rolling pin and transfer it onto the cloth. Put both hands under the dough with palms up and stretch gently from the middle to the sides. The dough is supposed to be elastic and stretchy (if not, let it rest for about 10 more minutes then try again). After that, stretch the sides so the whole piece covers the table.
- Please see the photos on how to add filling and wrap it.
Bake until golden brown and enjoy!
bakingwithsibella.com 
This looks like a fun recipe to try. Great pictures and directions! I have read recipes for streudel that sound similar, but I have never tried them. Could this dough be used for sweet fillings? And do you have any favorites?
Thanks so much! For sweet fillings I would recommend using the strudel dough which contains egg and is little richer than this one, but this one can be used as well just reduce the amount of salt.
I can’t say which one is my favorite – I love ’em all! 🙂
Thanks for visiting Sarah!
Sibella
Wow, wow, wow. I did try this once but it was a disaster (and in my defense, it was a recipe that said “add as much water as needed to make dough”–not a recipe for novices). I will have to try again, hopefully I will get something half as nice as yours.
Thanks Sara! Phyllo takes practice, practice, practice. Not once I had to throw everything in the trash. 🙂
Usually I make phyllo without measuring until I get the right ‘feel’ of the dough in my hands, but this time I measured everything and it should work well. If you make it, please let me know how it turns out! Enjoy your weekend!
Sibella
Fantastic post! Incredibly well-documented with photos… I can almost feel it crunch in my mouth 🙂
Thanks so much Deb! It is indeed a crunchy deliciousness! 🙂
wow! we are so in each other’s heads! I just finished a post on handmade phyllo dough for Greek onion pie!! It won’t go up on my blog for a few weeks because I have so many recipes backed up. But I show the rolling pin technique. I did that earlier this week and then last night I used storebought phyllo to make leek-and-cheese pie, spinach-and-cheese pie, and pumpkin pie! I also do them wound up in spirals like that (called strifta in Greece) but for the handmade I did it in a pan so at least my post won’t be an exact copy of yours hahaha!!! mine should post around april 10 I think.
Hey, you know this old saying “Great minds think alike!” :))) I am excited to see your version of the phyllo dough. When I first learned to make it I was with the rolling pin. This is the only way my Grandma would make it. Later I learned to stretch it and it is somewhat easier. Once I watched a travel show about Greece and they showed a small shop where a man was making phyllo dough by hand and he was filling it with cheese and sugar. It looked absoultely perfect! Can’t wait for your post!
Have a wonderful weekend Heidi! 🙂
Fascinating! You are absolutely brilliant Sibella 🙂 I could never attempt half the things you make, even though you make it seem so simple! I wish I could magically transport myself over every time you make all these wonderful things and sample them. 😐
Lovely pictures! I’m drooling.
Awww Munira, thanks so much! I just love to bake, that is all to it! 🙂 I wish we could sit together over some tea and cake and just talk and enjoy ourselves! 🙂 Joyous weekend to you friend!
You probably know how we feel in Greece for phyllo and how extensively we use it! And the “ready to get married” joke is quite common 🙂 Great job!
Oh, I know about phyllo obsession, because we in Bosnia are just as obsessed! 😉 I must admit, I didn’t know this joke is popular in Greece too! 🙂
Thanks for stopping by Villy, have a wonderful weekend!
Sibella
Kudos to you! Looks and sounds like it tastes absolutely delicious. 🙂
Thanks so much April! Pita is truly one of my favorite traditional Bosnian foods!
Wow that looks so delicious! Burek was definitely one of my favourite foods from Bosnia 🙂 will have to give making a go some time, you’ve inspired me!
Aww thanks so much! Burek is my favorite too! In Bosnia I could just go and buy it anywhere. Here I HAVE to make it! 🙂
Wow, Sibella, this looks fantastic! I made phyllo dough and baklava last year and my goodness was it ever a project! But you’re right, it was pretty worth it – it tasted fantastic. I’m amazed at how thin and GIGANTIC your phyllo sheets are! And I love the swirly shapes, I bet they get lovely and crisp in the oven. Just beautiful. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Korena! I try to make pita once a month since we all love it. It is really the best right out of the oven, golden and crispy! 🙂 Baklava I usually make just once a year since it’s even more time consuming (I let the phyllo sheets dry a little before using for baklava).
Wow! Beautiful, looks delicious as well!
Thanks so much Donna! 🙂
You are deff not lazy!
Haha, I try not to be! :))) You should see me when it comes to other things like cleaning and dishes (I really really have to push myself) :)))
So I guess that this means your happily married or soon to be as these phyllo s pastries are just beautiful. Amazing step by step photos and I am glad you took so many as it really helps ones like me who has never tried this dish before. I really like the idea of the cottage cheese inside so creamy and lovely. I think this one needs to be posted on pin Interest!!!! I’m off to do that now…Take Care, BAM
Haha, yes I’ve been married for 18 years and still making phyllo! 😛 The whole process is very time consuming, but I am so used to it that it isn’t a big deal anymore. My hope is that people will learn how to make so it is not left forgotten in the past. Bobbi, thanks for posting it on Pinterest! Have a wonderful weekend!
Sibella
I can’t believe you make your own phyllo dough!!!! I know how much work that must be. Phyllo is soooo thin. I’m very impressed.
Aww thank you! I’ve been making it for years, it is a tradition and I don’t want it to die plus it makes awesome pastries! 🙂
Thanks for visiting!
It’s a wonderful tradition and I agree, these things must not be lost. It’s just hard to find the time. I’m glad you shared.
You’re right, time is always a big issue, but we can do our best! 😉
You have been nominated for the Liebster Blog Award!
http://acorninmykitchen.wordpress.com/2012/04/02/liebster-blog-award/
Awww, I am truly honored! 🙂 THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!
Wow, this is so impressive, Sibella, I wouldn’t even imagine it was possible to make phyllo from scratch! Beautiful work and great photos as well!
Thanks Smidge! 🙂 Phyllo has been made for generations in my native Bosnia, also in Greece and Turkey. Since its very time consuming it is not made as often at home anymore… I just love the whole process of making it!
It’s the kind of thing to spend a quiet day home alone with great music on, I think!
That’s exactly right! 🙂
Oh that looks just fabulous!
Thanks so much! Thank you for visiting! 🙂
Sibella
Wow, thank you! I guess I ahve to start making my own burek…
You’re welcome! If you do, please let me know how did it go? 🙂
Will do. Although not much time anytime soon, but will keep you informed.
Sure! In the meantime I will be checking what’s happening on your blog which I find very attractive! 🙂
I just realized – so the Bosnian word for phyllo is jufka – in this part of Greece (close to the Bulgarian border), they call the local type of pasta gioufkadia (pronounced yoof-kah-dya), I guess it’s from the same word. I had wondered about that because it’s not a Greek word and it’s not used in the rest of Greece.
Yep, jufka! 🙂 I think jufka might be a turkish word. There are a LOT of turkish words in our language since Bosnia was 500 years under Ottoman Empire. Over time the words have changed their form and pronounciation…
I like the way how You explain it about jufka.Every time I try to make it…well it is not so thin.You are right about flour(will try King Artur).
Thanks so much Merima! 🙂 Keep practicing and you will get there! 🙂 Hvala ti puno na posjeti!
Sibella
Wow! How clever you are… I’m sure it is the sort of thing you need lots of practice with but it looks so wonderful!
Hello Lois, thanks for stopping by! Yes, you’re right! Phyllo dough requires a lot of practice, but once you get a hang of it, it becomes a routine.
As with most things practice, practice, practice!
Hey Sibella! Kako si?! i just wanted to let you know that i ADORE YOU! i have been looking forever for a recipe of pita! Me myself I am from the Netherlands but i know a lot about the Bosnian country food and people. And i must say i pretty much adore everything about this country especially the FOOD! I have been there myself a couple of times (in Mostar) with a bosnian family i lived with at that time. I always watched when the women were cooking but my insecurity always dominated when i wanted to make pita. I do make several dishes which i remembered how they made it like razljevak, sarma, dolma, japrak, cevapi i lepinja, ustipke and a few more 🙂 Anyways, so i looked up on youtube and googled so many recipes and did found some how to make pito but they sounded or to easy or it was the bosnian language itself which made it too hard for me to understand to process of making pita. and i know how important this dish is in Bosnia and i know it’s definately not the easiest thing to make so i was always waiting for the right moment and recipe to make this right! To make a long story short haha then you came along and you’ve created a smile on my face like i haven’t had in a long time! i gave it a try the next day and guess what IT CAME OUT SO GOOD!! i prefer pita krompiruša and sirnica so i made those and they came out delicious. Obviously i have a lot of practicing to do on the stretching and the skills so i can save time but i am soooo happy i finally know how to make this. I live in the states now and i have lost contact with the bosnian family a few years ago unfortunately, so thats why i never knew how to make it. So thanks again and i must say all your recipes are amazing! Keep on doing the amazing job!
Cao! Elke
Hello Elke,
Dobro sam hvala ti! 🙂
So nice to meet you! Thanks for visiting and I am so glad that you were able to use my recipe and make pita. I know it’s not easy at all and it takes a lot of time and practice to produce a perfect pita. Keep working on it! 😀 I try to make pita for my family at least once a month and they really love it. I mostly cook Bosnian food at home! I’ve tried many different cuisines, but always go back to my Bosnian roots. I have a really great recipe for cevapi, but it is my friends’ family recipe (they used to own a butcher shop in Prijedor) and so far she didn’t allow me to post it online. But, I will keep asking! Again, I am very glad to meet you and thanks so much for writing!
Cao cao!
Sibella
hey Sibella. I understand about the cevapi recipe hehe, if its a family recipe it kinda should stay within the family huh, lucky u they share it with you though!! I adore cevapcici, I make my own ajvar and fresh lepina with it too! i like my ajvar with a kick to it so i make it a little more spicy and its sooo good. I really miss living in europe when it comes to cooking, because i am so used of the products over there and over here in the USA everything is so different but everyday i learn new things and i find new products which come pretty close to the products i used back in europe. In holland i always went to a turkish supermarket where they sell a lot of bosnian products as well (its almost a bosnian supermarket hehe if you wouldnt know it was turkish haha) I love to buy stuff there like argeta (don’t know if u ever had it i think u will have!), and the cheeses and also sandwichmeats like Poli :):):) its sooo good and i miss it sooo much haha. I did found these products online but it is too expensive with shipping but like i said i keep finding out new substitutes and they come pretty close. I hope i will get to take my family one day to bosnia and show them what i experienced and how amazing the culture, people and FOOD is. It is definately one of my favorite countries so i can imagine u stick to your roots and be proud of where u come from!
Goodluck with your recipes and ill be the first one to try out your new bosnian recipes when you are going to put them online!:):)
Goodluck also with your paintings, i love that you are so creative and that you want to share it with other people! Keep on doing the amazing job!
Cao! xxx
Hello Elke,
If didn’t know that you are Dutch, I would think you are Bosnian, LOL! I’ve been living in the US for past 14 years and I still miss European products. Since here where I live we have a large Bosnian community, one Arabic store orders a whole lot Bosnian products, such as argeta, poli, ajvar, jams, cookies, kajmak, etc. etc. I hope I will be able to travel to Bosnia next summer. I haven’t been there since 2010.
It is so very nice to meet you Elke!
We’ll talk again soon!
Sibella
Cao!
I have made this. A friend from Bosnia taught me. She came to the US as a refugee wheBill Clinton was preside.I did think she added yeast. What do you think?
Definitely no yeast in phyllo dough.😊
Just amazing! I have always believed it impossible to make phyllo at home. You have clearly disproved that mistaken belief. Thanks for sharing your recipe, technique, and – as always – your beautiful images.
Thank you very much Darryl! In my homeland, making homemade phyllo dough has been a tradition and something that you really want to learn and pass it on to your children. It takes time and A LOT of practice, but results are out of this world.