Kunefe a Sweet Cheese Pastry Made with Kadaifi
Indulge in the irresistible allure of Kunefe, a traditional Middle Eastern dessert that marries the crisp, golden layers of buttery kadaifi (shredded phyllo dough) with the gooey, melty richness of mozzarella or string cheese. This sweet cheese pastry is perfectly balanced with a fragrant sugar syrup infused with a hint of lemon and optional rose or orange blossom water, adding an aromatic finish. Topped with a sprinkle of finely chopped pistachios, Kunefe is a textural masterpiece that’s equal parts crunchy, creamy, and syrupy. With just 20 minutes of preparation and a quick bake in the oven, this warm, crowd-pleasing dessert is perfect for special occasions or an indulgent treat at home. Serve it fresh and warm for an unforgettable bite of Middle Eastern delight!
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Ingredients
- 300 grams Kadaifi (shredded phyllo dough)
- 125 grams Unsalted butter, melted
- 250 grams Mozzarella cheese (or unsalted string cheese), shredded
- 250 grams Sugar
- 250 milliliters Water
- 1.5 teaspoons Lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Rose water or orange blossom water (optional)
- 50 grams Pistachios, finely chopped (for garnish)
Directions
Step 1
1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease a 25 cm (10-inch) round baking dish or kunefe pan with a small amount of melted butter.
Step 2
2. Begin by preparing the sugar syrup: Combine sugar, water, and lemon juice in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves, then bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and let it simmer for 5-7 minutes until slightly thickened. Add rose water or orange blossom water, if using, and set aside to cool.
Step 3
3. Place the kadaifi (shredded phyllo dough) in a large bowl. Carefully separate the strands with your hands to fluff them up. Pour the melted butter over the kadaifi, and toss thoroughly to ensure the butter coats all the strands evenly.
Step 4
4. Divide the buttered kadaifi into two equal portions. Spread one portion evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish, pressing it down firmly to create an even base layer.
Step 5
5. Distribute the shredded mozzarella cheese (or a mix of cheeses) evenly over the bottom layer of kadaifi.
Step 6
6. Cover the cheese with the remaining kadaifi, spreading it out evenly and pressing it down gently to create the top layer.
Step 7
7. Place the kunefe in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and crisp.
Step 8
8. Once the kunefe is out of the oven, immediately pour the cooled sugar syrup evenly over the hot pastry. Allow the pastry to absorb the syrup for a few minutes.
Step 9
9. Garnish the top with finely chopped pistachios.
Step 10
10. Serve the kunefe warm and enjoy its melty, cheesy goodness!
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (1240.3g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 3994.9 |
| Total Fat 194.0g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 101.1g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g | |
| Cholesterol 451.5mg | 0% |
| Sodium 2704.7mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 482.8g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 11.4g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 263.8g | |
| Protein 98.3g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 53.6IU | 0% |
| Calcium 1913.9mg | 0% |
| Iron 8.4mg | 0% |
| Potassium 885.6mg | 0% |
Source of Calories