Go Back
+ servings
Kunafe is a popular Middle Eastern dessert that is enjoyed throughout the region and beyond. It is also known as Knafeh or Kunafa. It's a sweet, cheese-filled pastry made of shredded phyllo dough and a soft, white cheese like Akkawi or Nabulsi. The pastry is then soaked in a sweet syrup made of sugar, water, and rose or orange blossom water, which imparts a sweet and floral flavor to it.
4.25 from 4 votes
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Course Arabic Kitchen, Dessert Recipes
Cuisine Middle East
Servings 1 servings
Calories 300 kcal

Ingredients
  

For Sugar Syrup:

  • 1 cup Water
  • 1/2 cup Sugar
  • 3 Green cardamom
  • 1 tsp Kewra water

For Kunafa:

  • 200 g Fried vermicelli (pheni)
  • 1/2 cup Butter melted
  • 1/2 tsp Orange food color (optional)
  • 200 g Ricotta Cheese/cream cheese
  • 1/2 cup Mozzarella Cheese

Instructions
 

Sugar Syrup:

  • In a saucepan, combine water, sugar, and green cardamom.
  • Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 5-7 minutes until slightly thickened.
  • Remove from heat and stir in kewra water. Set aside to cool.

Kunafe:

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  • In a mixing bowl, combine fried vermicelli, melted butter, and orange food color. Mix until well coated.
  • Press half of the vermicelli mixture into the bottom of a greased baking dish.
  • In another bowl, mix together ricotta cheese and mozzarella cheese. Spread evenly over the vermicelli layer.
  • Top with the remaining vermicelli mixture, pressing gently to compact.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until golden brown.
  • Remove from oven and pour the prepared sugar syrup over the hot Kunafe.
  • Allow to cool slightly before slicing and serving.
Keyword Knafeh, Kunafa, Kunafe