Royal Cheese Knafeh (Kunafa Nabulsia)
Golden crispy shredded kataifi pastry baked with melted sweet stretchy Akkawi cheese, drenched in warm orange blossom sugar syrup, and topped with vibrant pistachios.
Ingredients
For the Crispy Pastry Crust
- 500g Kataifi shredded pastry dough (fresh or thawed)
- 200g unsalted butter or clarified ghee, melted
- 1 tbsp orange blossom water
- Pinch of orange kunafa coloring (optional)
For the Sweet Cheese Filling
- 400g Sweet Akkawi cheese or Nabulsi cheese (desalted in cold water)
- 250g fresh mozzarella cheese, shredded
For the Aromatic Sugar Syrup (Attar)
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbsp rose water
- 1 tbsp orange blossom water
For Garnish
- 1/2 cup vibrant green pistachios, finely crushed
- Edible dried rose petals
Instructions
Prepare the Aromatic Syrup
In a saucepan, combine sugar and water. Bring to a gentle boil, add lemon juice, and simmer for 8 minutes until slightly thickened. Stir in rose water and orange blossom water. Set aside to cool to room temperature.
Prep the Kataifi Dough
Chop the shredded kataifi dough finely (or pulse in a food processor). Rub melted ghee and orange blossom water into the shredded dough with your hands until every strand is coated.
Layer the Pan
Press two-thirds of the buttered dough firmly and evenly into the bottom of a 30cm (12-inch) round metal baking pan, pressing up slightly on the sides.
Add the Cheese Filling
Evenly distribute the shredded, desalted Akkawi and mozzarella cheese over the dough base, leaving a 1cm border around the edges to prevent sticking. Top lightly with the remaining kataifi dough.
Bake to Golden Crisp
Bake at 200°C (400°F) for 25-30 minutes until the edges are deep golden brown and the cheese is completely melted and bubbly.
Invert, Drench with Syrup & Garnish
Carefully invert the hot knafeh onto a large round serving platter. Immediately pour half of the cooled aromatic syrup over the hot crispy pastry. Garnish generously with crushed pistachios and rose petals, and serve immediately while cheese is warm and stretchy.
Nutrition Facts
* Based on a 2,000 calorie diet.