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Photo of Kunafa (Arabic/Middle-Eastern Cheescake) by Trisha Rudra at BetterButter
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Kunafa (Arabic/Middle-Eastern Cheescake)

Jul-31-2016
Trisha Rudra
20 minutes
Prep Time
40 minutes
Cook Time
12 People
Serves
Read Instructions Save For Later

ABOUT Kunafa (Arabic/Middle-Eastern Cheescake) RECIPE

Kunafa, also spelled Kanafeh, Kunafeh or Konafah is a Arabic/Middle-Eastern cheese pastry soaked in sweet, sugar syrup. It is a specialty of the Middle-East, especially the areas of Egypt and Turkey.

Recipe Tags

  • Egg-free
  • Medium
  • Eid
  • Middle Eastern
  • Baking
  • Dessert
  • Egg Free

Ingredients Serving: 12

  1. Roasted vermicelli/Seviyyan - 300 gms
  2. Ghee - 3 to 4 tbsp, melted
  3. Orange food colur - few drops
  4. Honey - 1 tbsp
  5. Ricotta cheese - 150 gms
  6. Amul cheese spread - 50 gms
  7. Mozzarella cheese - 100 gms, grated
  8. Powdered sugar - 2 to 3 tbsp (depending on how sweet you prefer it)
  9. Granulated Sugar - 1 Cup
  10. Water - 1/2 cup
  11. Orange blossom water - 1/2 tsp

Instructions

  1. Tip the seviyya/vermicelli in with the melted ghee into a large bowl. Dissolve the orange colour in the ghee, and pour inside the vermicelli bowl, using both hands to toss them through until well-coated with ghee and colour.
  2. Add the honey, or if you wish, use powdered sugar, and toss again until well-mixed. Keep aside.
  3. Use a large spatula or wire whisk and mix the ricotta with the cheese spread, until smooth and creamy. Mix the sugar in. Grate the mozzarella and keep in a separate bowl. Pour the sugar and water into a large pot, and put it to boil.
  4. When the syrup begins boiling fast, add the orange blossom water, and stir. Let the syrup reach one-string consistency and switch off flame. Grease a 9-inch spring-form pan with ghee or butter.
  5. Begin with a layer, about an inch thick, of the seviyyan, and use your fingers or the back of a glass/bowl to tap and smooth it out evenly. Pour the filling over the seviyyan evenly, and then spread the mozzarella on top evenly, covering all sides.
  6. Repeat the seviyyan layer, and cover the top well, pressing down the sides gently. Bake in a pre-heated oven for 30 to 40 mins, at 160 C, or until top is crusty and golden.
  7. Once done, and while still hot, quickly pour the syrup on top all over. Let it stand, allowing the syrup to soak in for 5 to 10 mins, and then garnish with chopped pistachios, slice, and serve warm.

Reviews (6)  

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Kusum Singh
Sep-05-2017
Kusum Singh   Sep-05-2017

Thanks

safia anwar
Jul-24-2017
safia anwar   Jul-24-2017

turned out well

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