Kunafa | Knafeh | Cheese kunafa | Kunaafa naabulsiya | Cheesy dessert | Middle east dessert

Preparation time : 30 minutes

Cooking time : 15 minutes

Baking time : 40-45 minutes

Makes : 9'' baking pan

Ingredients :

Sugar syrup :

• Sugar - 2 cups
• Water - 1 cup
• Lemon juice - 1 tsp
• Rose water / Rose essence - 1 tbsp

Cheese stuffing :

• Akkawi cheese - 300 grams
• Powdered sugar - 2 tbsp
• Mozzarella cheese - 200 grams, grated

Others :

• Kunafa dough - 500 grams
• Melted butter - 1 cup
• Pistachio - for garnishing, finely chopped

Method :

Sugar syrup :

1. In a sauce pan, combine sugar and water. Stir till dissolves.
2. Add lemon juice and rose water. Mix well.
3. Let it simmer for 10 minutes.
4. Keep aside.

Cheese stuffing :

1. Take grated akkawi cheese in a bowl.
2. Add powdered sugar
3. Mix well and keep aside.

Preparing kunafa :

1. Take a bowl, add roughly chopped kunafa dough.
2. Pour melted butter.
3. Coat well and keep aside.

Assembling kunafa :

1. Take a baking pan, grease with butter.
2. Transfer half of the kunafa dough and press firmly.
3. Spread cheese mixture. Press gently.
4. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese. Press gently.
5. Finally layer the remaining kunafa dough.
6. Press slightly.
7. Bake in preheated oven on 200 degrees for 40-45 minutes.
8. Remove from oven and immediately pour sugar syrup all over it.
9. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes.
10. Flip on a serving plate. 
11. Pour some more sugar syrup and sprinkle pistachio.
12. Cut and serve hot.

Video :

Step by step pictures of making kunafa :

In a sauce pan, add sugar

Pour water 

Add lemon juice 

Add rose water 

Let it simmer for 10 minutes and keep aside 

Take a bowl, add roughly chopped kunafa dough

Pour melted butter

Coat well and keep aside 

Take grated akkawi cheese in a bowl

Add powdered sugar 

Mix well and keep aside 

Take a baking pan, grease with butter 

Transfer half of the kunafa dough 

Press firmly 

Spread cheese mixture. Press gently 

Sprinkle mozzarella cheese

Press gently

Finally, layer the remaining kunafa dough

Press slightly

Bake in preheated oven on 200 degrees for 40 - 45 minutes 

Remove from the oven 

Pour sugar syrup immediately and let it rest for 5-10 minutes

Gently flip on a serving plate 

Pour some more sugar syrup 

Sprinkle pistachio

Cut and serve hot

Enjoy!!!