Kanafa is a delectable Middle Eastern dessert made with shredded phyllo dough, cheese, butter, and a sweet sugar syrup. The dish is known for its crispy golden exterior and creamy cheesy center. This recipe will guide you through the steps to prepare a mouthwatering Kanafa from scratch. With a preparation time of approximately 45 minutes, you can surprise your guests with this traditional dessert that will transport them to the streets of the Middle East.
Ingredients
- 1 lb shredded phyllo dough (kataifi)
- 1 cup clarified butter
- 1 lb mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 lb sweet cheese (such as nabulsi or akkawi), shredded
- 1 cup simple syrup (made with equal parts sugar and water)
- 1/4 cup pistachios, crushed (for garnish)
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a baking dish, spread half of the shredded phyllo dough and press it down to form an even layer.
- Drizzle half of the clarified butter over the phyllo dough.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the shredded mozzarella and sweet cheese. Mix well.
- Spread the cheese mixture evenly over the phyllo dough layer.
- Cover the cheese layer with the remaining shredded phyllo dough, pressing it down gently.
- Drizzle the rest of the clarified butter over the top layer.
- Bake the kanafa in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
- Remove the kanafa from the oven and immediately pour the simple syrup over it. Allow the syrup to soak into the dessert for 10 minutes.
- Garnish the kanafa with crushed pistachios.
- Serve the kanafa warm and enjoy the gooey, cheesy, and sweet flavors.
