How to Make the Perfect Kunefe
Turkish · Easy · 35 min · 6 servings
Kunefe is an incredibly delicious Turkish dessert made with crispy shredded pastry and melted cheese soaked in sweet syrup that kids absolutely adore. This kid friendly recipe creates the most amazing combination of crunchy and gooey textures that children find completely irresistible.
Why this recipe works
This Kunefe recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 35 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 480 calories with 14g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 7 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 250 g kataifi shredded pastry thawed
- 200 g fresh mozzarella or unsalted cheese
- 100 g butter melted
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp crushed pistachios
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Make the Sugar Syrup
Combine sugar and water in a small saucepan and bring to a boil then add lemon juice and simmer for 10 minutes until slightly thickened then set aside to cool.
Step 2: Prepare the Pastry
Toss shredded kataifi pastry with melted butter using your hands until every strand is coated then divide into two equal portions.
Step 3: Layer and Cook
Press one portion of pastry into a greased oven-safe pan to form a flat base then spread sliced cheese evenly over the pastry and cover with the remaining pastry pressing firmly.
Step 4: Bake and Soak
Bake at 200C for 20 minutes until deep golden brown and crispy then immediately pour the cooled sugar syrup over the hot kunefe and garnish with crushed pistachios before serving.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- kataifi shredded pastry → shredded phyllo dough as an easier to find alternative
- fresh mozzarella → ricotta cheese blended smooth for a creamier filling
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Pouring hot syrup on cold kunefe which prevents proper absorption
- Not pressing the pastry layers firmly enough causing the dessert to fall apart when served
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 480 calories, 14g protein, 56g carbs, 24g fat, 1g fiber.
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