Kadaif

Delight your senses with the rich, flaky goodness of Kadaif, a classic Middle Eastern dessert featuring layers of buttery kataifi dough, a spiced nut filling, and a luscious homemade syrup. The shredded phyllo dough creates a crisp, golden crust that encases a blend of coarsely chopped walnuts, pistachios, cinnamon, and a hint of nutmeg for a warm, aromatic crunch in every bite. This indulgent treat is drenched in a syrup infused with honey, lemon, vanilla, and cloves, adding a glossy finish and a perfect balance of sweetness. Perfect for gatherings or special occasions, Kadaif is a show-stopping dessert that's easy to prepare and sure to impress. Pair it with a cup of Turkish coffee or a dollop of clotted cream for a truly luxurious taste experience.

Nutriscore Rating: 48/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:50 mins

Total Time:80 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 400 grams Kataifi (shredded phyllo dough)
• 200 grams Unsalted butter
• 150 grams Walnuts (coarsely chopped)
• 50 grams Pistachios (coarsely chopped)
• 300 grams Granulated sugar (for syrup)
• 240 milliliters Water (for syrup)
• 1 tablespoon Lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons Honey
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
• 2 whole Cloves
• 0.5 teaspoon Ground nutmeg

Directions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 175°C (350°F).

Step 2

Melt the unsalted butter in a small saucepan over low heat or in a microwave, and set it aside to cool slightly.

Step 3

In a mixing bowl, combine the coarsely chopped walnuts, pistachios, ground cinnamon, and nutmeg.

Step 4

Unwrap and gently separate the kataifi dough by hand. Divide the dough into three equal portions.

Step 5

Grease a rectangular baking dish (approximately 9x13 inches) with melted butter.

Step 6

Take one portion of the kataifi dough, spread it out gently, and brush it evenly with melted butter.

Step 7

Spread half of the nut mixture evenly over the kataifi.

Step 8

Place the second portion of kataifi over the nut layer, brush it with more melted butter, and spread the remaining nut mixture on top.

Step 9

Cover with the final layer of kataifi dough and brush the entire top generously with the remaining melted butter.

Step 10

Using a sharp knife, cut the layered kataifi into squares or diamonds for easy serving later.

Step 11

Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 40-50 minutes or until the top is golden brown and crisp.

Step 12

While the kadaif is baking, prepare the syrup: combine granulated sugar, water, honey, lemon juice, whole cloves, and vanilla extract in a saucepan.

Step 13

Bring the syrup mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Lower the heat and let it simmer for about 10 minutes until slightly thickened. Remove the cloves and let the syrup cool.

Step 14

Once the kadaif is baked, remove it from the oven, and immediately pour the cooled syrup over the hot dessert evenly.

Step 15

Allow the kadaif to absorb the syrup and cool down to room temperature before serving.

Step 16

Serve kadaif at room temperature, and enjoy the delightful crunch and sweet flavor.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1412.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5470.1

Total Fat 315.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 116.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 442.9mg	0%
Sodium 1242.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 655.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 26.4g	0%
Total Sugars 352.0g
Protein 69.8g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 298.1mg	0%
Iron 12.2mg	0%
Potassium 1492.6mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 49.5%

Protein: 4.9%

Carbs: 45.7%