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Kunefe

Kunefe is a delightful Middle Eastern dessert featuring crispy pastry, gooey cheese, and sweet syrup, perfect for sharing with family and friends.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 250 g Kataifi pastry
  • 200 g unsalted cheese (e.g., mozzarella or akawi)
  • 100 g unsalted butter
  • 200 ml water
  • 200 g sugar
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon rose water (optional) For additional flavor
  • Pistachios for garnish (optional)

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F).
  2. In a pot, combine water, sugar, and lemon juice. Bring to a boil and simmer for about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and add rose water, if using.
  3. Melt the butter and separate the Kataifi pastry strands. Mix the pastry with the melted butter until well coated.
  4. In a baking dish, layer half of the pastry, pressing it down firmly. Spread the cheese evenly over this layer, then add the remaining pastry on top.
Baking
  1. Bake in the oven for 30-40 minutes until the top is golden brown.
  2. Once baked, remove from the oven and immediately pour the sugar syrup over the hot kunefe. Let it soak for a few minutes.
Serving
  1. Garnish with crushed pistachios if desired and serve hot.

Notes

Kunefe is best served warm. As you cut into it, the gooey cheese should stretch out, giving a visually appealing effect. You can serve it on its own or with a dollop of yogurt or ice cream for a creamy contrast. To store leftovers, keep kunefe in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days, and reheat in the oven to maintain the crunch of the pastry.