Shekerbura and Baklava Gift Tray

How to Prepare Shekerbura-Pakhlava Gift Tray?

Shekerbura-Pakhlava tray is a traditional dish of Azerbaijani cuisine, prepared especially for Novruz Bayram. The tray is generally used during festive occasions, mainly for engagements and special events. It often contains various gifts, fruits, sweets, and other delicacies.

According to Azerbaijani traditions, the tray should include an odd number of shekerbura and pakhlava, typically 49 or 51 pieces, and is presented to the bride’s family. You can also use these trays when visiting guests or hosting an event at home.

Moreover, shekerbura and pakhlava are indispensable elements of our festive tables, especially during Novruz Bayram. Every household displays a beautifully decorated holiday tray. Nowadays, the main treats in these trays are pakhlava, shekerbura, and gogal. Gogal symbolizes the Sun, shekerbura represents the Moon, and pakhlava stands for the stars.

Novruz Bayram holds a special place in the hearts of Azerbaijanis, combining ancient traditions. It is celebrated with bonfires and sweet trays. People listen for fortune-telling whispers, jump over bonfires, and enjoy the festive abundance of Novruz greens and delicacies.

What is an Engagement Tray?

Various regions in Azerbaijan have their own unique trays, with different contents and names depending on the occasion. For example:

• Engagement Tray: Must contain an engagement ring and a red headscarf.

• White Tray: Presented by the groom’s family to the bride’s family during Novruz, Ramadan, and similar holidays.

• Sugar Bowl (Gand Pashi): A custom where the bride’s family receives the tray and returns it to the groom’s family with new contents.

• Novruz Tray: A traditional holiday-themed tray.

The Significance of Shekerbura-Pakhlava Tray

Shekerbura and pakhlava are the highlights of Novruz tables. During the holiday, any Azerbaijani household will greet you with a beautifully arranged shekerbura-pakhlava tray. According to ancient traditions, shekerbura symbolizes the Moon, while pakhlava represents the Earth. Novruz Bayram marks the arrival of spring and the awakening of nature, making these delicacies an essential part of the holiday table.

How to Prepare Shekerbura?

For centuries, Azerbaijani traditions have included the preparation of shekerbura, badambura, and pakhlava during the last Tuesday before Novruz and on the holiday itself. If you want to make the best shekerbura, here’s a tried-and-true recipe:

Dough Ingredients:

• 1 kg flour

• 250 g softened butter

• 1/3 teaspoon dry yeast

• 1/2 teaspoon sugar

• A pinch of salt

• 2 eggs

• Enough milk (approximately 2 cups)

Filling:

• 500 g peeled and blanched hazelnuts

• 400 g sugar

• 1/2 tablespoon cardamom

Preparation:

1. Sift the flour into a bowl, add softened butter, yeast, sugar, and lightly beaten eggs.

2. Mix by hand, gradually adding milk to form a medium-soft dough.

3. Wrap the dough in plastic and let it rest in a cool place for 5 minutes.

4. Prepare the filling by grinding hazelnuts, mixing them with sugar and cardamom.

5. Shape the dough into small balls, roll them out, and add the filling.

6. Seal, decorate, and bake at 150°C for 20-25 minutes until lightly golden.

Note: Some prefer adding sour cream to the dough, but we do not recommend it, as it can affect the decorative patterns and texture.

How to Prepare Pakhlava?

Dough Ingredients:

• 1 kg flour

• 3 eggs

• 250 g butter

• 1 cup milk

• 2 tablespoons sour cream

• 1 teaspoon dry yeast

• Salt

Filling:

• 1 kg walnut kernels (can also use almonds)

• 1 kg sugar

• 1/3 teaspoon cardamom

For Greasing:

• 400-450 g butter

Syrup:

• 2 cups sugar

• 1 cup water

Topping:

• 2 egg yolks

• Almonds, hazelnuts, or walnuts

Preparation:

1. Warm the milk slightly and dissolve the yeast.

2. Melt the butter.

3. Mix flour with eggs, yeast, milk, butter, sour cream, and salt to form a soft dough.

4. Cover the dough and let it rise for 2 hours.

5. Prepare the filling by toasting walnuts, grinding them, and mixing with sugar and cardamom.

6. Roll out 12 thin layers of dough and layer them in a greased baking tray, alternating with filling.

7. Cut into diamond shapes, let rest for 30 minutes, then brush with egg yolk and top with nuts.

8. Bake at 180°C until lightly golden, then coat with butter and bake at 150°C until fully browned.

9. Pour syrup over and leave in the oven for 3-5 minutes.

10. Serve warm or cool.

Shekerbura Tray Prices

The shekerbura-pakhlava tray is an iconic symbol of Azerbaijani cuisine, especially for Novruz Bayram. But how much does it cost?

At Rəmzioğlu confectionery store, you can find both national and Turkish sweets. The traditional set includes 8 pakhlava and 6 shekerbura, priced at 25.90 AZN.

Individual shekerbura pieces are available at 2 AZN each. Many Azerbaijanis use these trays for special occasions like engagements and weddings. According to tradition, an engagement tray must contain an odd number of shekerbura, such as 49 or 51 pieces.

Pakhlava Tray Prices

The same traditions apply to pakhlava trays, which are carefully arranged for special occasions. The price varies depending on the filling, as pakhlava can be made with walnuts, hazelnuts, or almonds.

• Hazelnut Baku Pakhlava – 2.82 AZN

• Almond Baku Pakhlava – 2.91 AZN

• Walnut Baku Pakhlava – 2.91 AZN

Order Shekerbura-Pakhlava Tray from Rəmzioğlu

At Rəmzioğlu, you will find authentic Azerbaijani and Turkish sweets, crafted by skilled confectioners. Visit our website to explore our range or contact us to place an order. Please note that our product weights exclude packaging, allowing you to customize your order freely.

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