Kunafa
HB-1294 · Hand-built original · Qatari
Meet Kunafa, one of Qatar's most cherished sweets and a true showstopper at any celebration. Delicate strands of pastry are baked until golden and crisp, then wrapped around a molten filling of cheese or nuts and soaked in fragrant syrup. A whisper of rose water rounds off every mouthful. As beautiful to look at as it is to eat, this glowing golden dessert brings a taste of Middle Eastern hospitality straight to your table.
QatariDessert1–2 servingsVegetarianEgg-free
Main ingredient: kataifi
Pairs well with: coffee, vanilla ice cream, fresh berries, whipped cream
Servings:1quantities adjust to match
Ingredients
- 7 oz kunafa pastry (kataifi), thawed if frozen
- 3½ oz butter, melted, plus extra for the pan
- 5¼ oz mozzarella or unsalted kunafa cheese, grated or crumbled
- 5¼ oz sugar
- 6½ Tbsp water
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp rose water
- 3½ oz pistachios or almonds, roughly chopped
Method
- Make the syrup: bring the sugar, water, and lemon juice to a boil, simmer for 6 to 7 minutes until lightly syrupy, stir in the rose water, and cool completely.
- Heat the oven to 350°F and butter a round pan of about 7¾ in.
- Tease the kataifi strands apart, toss them thoroughly with the melted butter, and press two-thirds firmly into the pan in an even layer.
- Spread the cheese over the pastry, keeping it clear of the very edges, then cover with the rest of the pastry and press down well.
- Bake for 28 to 32 minutes until crisp and deep golden all over.
- Pour the cool syrup slowly and evenly over the hot kunafa as soon as it leaves the oven, and rest for 5 to 10 minutes to absorb.
- Scatter the chopped nuts generously over the top and serve warm.
Nutrition not computed — the source recipe data produced an implausible result and is flagged for review.