Ćevap Lepinje (Balken Kebab Buns)
March 21st, 2025
This Recipe creates 12 servings
Prep Time: 01 hour 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
A single serving contains about 200 calories
Ćevap Lepinje (pronounced \'Che·vap Lay·'pin·yay\) are "Balkan Kebab Buns". A quick and easy bread that can be eaten alone or with any meat dish. Serve Ćevap Lepinje with burgers, pulled pork, shredded chicken, or the traditional Ćevapi (kebab meat).
Ingredients:
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Hydration 58%; ADY 1%; Sugar 1%; Salt 1.5%;
4.75 Cups (600 Grams) Bread Flour
2 Teaspoons (6 Grams) Yeast
1.5 Teaspoon (9 Grams) Salt
1.5 Teaspoon (6 Grams) Sugar
16 fl ounces (350 ml) Warm Water (105° to 115° F.)
Directions:
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In a large bowl, mix the Flour, Yeast, Salt, and Sugar.
Whisk until fully integrated.
Add the Water.
Knead by hand until fully mixed. The Dough will be sticky.
Throw a light dusting of Flour over the top of the Dough.
Cover and rest the Dough for 1 hour.
Place a large sheet of parchment paper onto a large sheetpan.
Preheat the oven to 525° F.
Separate the Dough into 12 equal pieces. Each piece should weigh about 86 grams.
Roll each piece into a Dough Ball.
Dust each Dough Ball with a light dusting of Flour, as necessary, so that you can work with them.
Roll, flatten, and stretch each Dough Ball into a flat Bun (Lepinje), with a diameter around 5 inches.
Be aware that the Lepinje will rise again somewhat while cooking.
Cover 2 large sheetpans with parchment paper.
Arrange the Lepinje on the parchment paper sheets, with 6 Lepinje to each sheet.
Ensure that the Lepinje are not touching each other.
Use a sharp knife or a dough lame to cut a shallow hatch pattern in the top of each Lupinje.
Add each sheetpan, with the parchment paper (and the Lepinje) into the oven.
Bake at 525° F for 8 minutes.
Each Lepinje should turn a golden color.
Remove the sheetpan(s) from the oven.
Rest the Lepinje for 10 minutes to cool before serving.
Use a sharp knife to carefully cut each Lepinje open, like a pita.
Fill with Kabob or meat of your choice.
