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Crispy Middle Eastern kunafa with cheese topped with nuts and sweet syrup

Kunafa with Cheese

Crispy, buttery shredded pastry layered with melted cheese and soaked in fragrant sugar syrup. This classic Middle Eastern kunafa dessert is golden, crunchy on the outside, and perfectly creamy inside.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 9 people
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Calories: 590
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

Sugar Syrup
  • 2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 tsp rose water - or orange blossom water ( optional)
  • 2 tsp lemon juice
Kunafa
  • 1 package kataifi - thawed ( about 15 oz)
  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter - melted
Cheese Filling
  • 3/4 lb mozzarella cheese - shredded
  • 1 lb ricotta cheese
Garnish
  • Crushed pistachios - or mixed nuts

Method
 

Prepare the Sugar Syrup
  1. In a small saucepan, combine sugar and water.
  2. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
  3. Add lemon juice and rose water.
  4. Remove from heat and let cool completely.
Prepare the Kataifi
  1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
  2. Place the shredded kataifi dough in a large bowl and gently separate the strands.
  3. Pour melted butter over the dough and mix until evenly coated.
Prepare the Cheese Filling
  1. In a bowl, mix mozzarella and ricotta until well combined.
Assemble the Kunafa
  1. Grease a 9-inch round baking pan.
  2. Press half of the buttered Kunafa evenly into the pan to form the base.
  3. Spread the cheese mixture evenly over the dough, leaving about ½ inch around the edges.
  4. Top with the remaining Kunafa dough and press gently.
Bake
  1. Bake for 30–40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and crispy.
Add the Syrup
  1. Remove the kunafa from the oven and immediately pour the cool sugar syrup evenly over the hot kunafa.
Garnish and Serve
  1. Sprinkle with crushed pistachios.
  2. Let it rest for 10 minutes, then slice and serve warm.