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Knafeh

Knafeh is a delightful Middle Eastern dessert made with thin noodle-like pastry and cheese, soaked in sweet syrup, perfect for parties and special occasions.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dessert, Sweet
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Knafeh
  • 1 pound Knafeh dough (or shredded phyllo pastry)
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted Melt thoroughly before mixing
  • 1 pound cheese (like mozzarella or a sweet cheese) Use fresh cheese for better texture and taste
For the syrup
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon rose or orange blossom water (optional)
For garnish
  • Ground pistachios Optional, for garnish

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Take the Knafeh dough and shred it if needed. Mix it with melted butter in a large bowl until the dough is well coated.
  3. Take half of the dough mixture and press it evenly into the bottom of a baking pan.
  4. Spread the cheese evenly over the layer of dough.
  5. Take the remaining dough and spread it on top of the cheese, pressing it down lightly.
Baking and Syrup Preparation
  1. Bake in the preheated oven for about 30-40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.
  2. While the Knafeh is baking, make the syrup. In a small pot, combine sugar and water. Bring it to a boil and let it simmer for about 10-15 minutes. Add rose or orange blossom water if using.
  3. Once the Knafeh is done baking, remove it from the oven and pour the syrup evenly over the top while it is still hot.
  4. Let it sit for a few minutes, then cut into squares or diamonds and garnish with ground pistachios if desired.

Notes

If you have leftover Knafeh, let it cool completely before storing. It can be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven until warm, adding more syrup if needed. Better syrup absorption can be achieved by letting it cool slightly before pouring over hot Knafeh.