Sweet Kunafa Recipe

Kunafa or (Knafeh) is a Middle Eastern sweet dessert that is made with a delicious cream (Ashta) filling between two layers of crispy Kunafa (shredded dough). Drizzled with sweet syrup and topped with pistachio slices. It is delicious hot or cold.

There are many different styles of Kunafa in the Middle East; there is Kunafa with nuts, cream, chocolate pudding, Nutella or cheese (usually Akkawi or Mozzarella). It can also be fried or baked. My favourite is the baked Kunafa.

What is Kunafa?

Kunafa is a traditional and popular Ramadan dessert in all Middle Eastern countries, especially Egypt. Outside the Middle East, you can find the frozen Kunafa dough in Turkish or Greek food stores. They are usually labelled as Kataifi, and in Arabic labelled 'كنافة '. 

Why should you make this recipe?

Although there are many steps to make this Middle Eastern dessert, they are straightforward and easy to do. This recipe is so delicious and sweet; you can freeze it and make it ahead of time. The syrup prevents the Kunafa from getting dry and keeps it soft and moist for many days.

Kunafa ingredients:

Kunafa dough: It is thin shredded filo dough; you can't just shred a filo dough sheet to have Kunafa. It is made with totally different ingredients.

Ghee: Gives better results than butter.

To make the syrup:
Sugar, vanilla extract, lemon juice, water and glucose liquid (helps in thickening the syrup).

To make the cream:
Heavy cream, cornflour, vanilla extract, and a small amount of sugar because we will add syrup, and we don't want it to be too sweet.

Topping:

I use slices of pistachio; however, you can use any variety of nuts you like.

How to make Kunafa?

Making the syrup:

• First, prepare the simple syrup, which will be used to sweeten the Kunafa.
• In a small saucepan, add sugar and water over high heat and bring to a boil (don't stir it, that will cause crystals to form in the syrup). Once it is boiling, turn the heat down, add the glucose liquid and let it simmer for 5-6 minutes.
• Next, add vanilla extract and lemon juice, stir, then turn off the heat.
• Put the syrup in a cool place and let it cool down completely.

Preparing the cream (Ashta):

• In a small saucepan, add sugar, cornflour and milk, stir well to combine (use a whisk).
• Keep mixing until there are no lumps at all.
• Put the saucepan over medium heat and constantly stir for 2-3 minutes until it comes to a boil. Keep whisking until the mixture thickens then, add vanilla extract, stir and turn off the heat. 
• Pour the cream into a bowl, then cover the top with plastic wrap to prevent a skin from forming, leave it to cool down completely.

Preparing the Kunafa:

• Preheat the oven to 200C.
• Put the Kunafa in a large bowl, then use your hands to tear it or use kitchen scissors to cut it into 2-3 cm strips. Try to separate the individual strands from each other. When you have a  pile of fine strips of Kunafa, pour the melted ghee on top of it, and mix it thoroughly (rub the Kunafa with ghee using your hands).
• Grease a 10-inch baking pan with butter. Spread the butter well in the bottom and the sides of the pan.
• Grap a handful of Kunafa and add it to the pan, fluff it up while adding it, so you don't get any clumps. Keep adding it until you cover the pan bottom with Kunafa. After that, use any heavy object such as a measuring cup to press on it until you get a flat layer of Kunafa.
• Now add more Kunafa around the edges of the tray and press on them as well.
• Pour the cream filling in the centre of the pan and spread it out over the first layer. Once the cream is spread, fold in any excess Kunafa walls down over the layer.
• Start gently covering the cream layer with the rest of Kunafa. Once you have created a thin layer of the Kunafa on the top, press it down gently using both your hands (don't press on it so hard that the cream comes out). Sprinkle some melted ghee on the top (optional).

Baking the Kunafa:

Put the pan in the middle of the oven and bake for 40-45 minutes or until the top becomes golden brown. Take it out of the oven.

Applying the syrup:

• As soon as you remove the it from the oven, pour the syrup evenly over the top. You will hear a sizzle as you pour the syrup into the Kunafa. Let it sit for 10 minutes so all the syrup is absorbed.
• Place a serving plate over the baking pan, and flip it onto the plate.
• Decorate it with the chopped pistachio, then cut it and serve.

Top Tips:

• Use your hands (don't use a spoon or spatula) to rub the Kunafa dough with the ghee until all the ghee is absorbed.
• Drizzle the Kunafa with the syrup as soon as you take it out of the oven (hot); the syrup should be cold.
• I keep my uncooked Kunafa dough in the freezer for up to 3 months.
• You can eat Kunafa, hot or cold.

Recipe variations:

• Add orange blossom to the syrup for a more robust flavour.
• Swap pistachio for hazelnut.
• Make this recipe with different fillings such as chocolate pudding or Nutella.
• Add a few drops of rose water to the syrup if you like.

Recipe FAQs:

Can I make Kunafa with butter instead of ghee?

No, If you only have butter, you can clarify it first before using it.

Put the butter in a saucepan over high heat. Once the butter is fully melted, leave it to boil for few minutes until the bubbly foam disappears. Pour it into a bowl and let it cool down. Once cooled, the clarified butter will be on the top and the milk solids on the bottom. Use only the yellow clarified butter on the top.

What is Kunafa dough made of?

Kunafa dough is made by mixing flour, cornstarch (or semolina), oil, water and a pinch of salt. The consistency of the dough must be runny. The batter is poured through a cup with small holes in the bottom onto a large non-stick hot plate. There are three types of Kunafa dough; rough, fine or a mix between fine and rough.

Storing, freezing and reheating Kunafa:

To store it: Keep it well covered in the fridge for 3-4 days

Freezing: Kunafa freezes beautifully. Just put it in a well-sealed container in the freezer for 2-3 months.

Reheat: Defrost at room temperate overnight, then microwave for 40 seconds; it needs it to be warm, not hot.

To make it ahead of time: Make the Kunafa, add the syrup and then put it in the fridge for 2-3 days. Before serving, you can microwave for 1 minute or so if you like it warm. 

Another method: Prepare the syrup, let it cool completely, then put it in a well-sealed jar in the fridge.

Prepare the cream filling, let it cool down, then cover well and put in the fridge. Rub the Kunafa dough with ghee. Assemble everything before serving.

Serving suggestions:

I recommend serving it with hot drinks such as green or red tea.

More Mediterranean dessert recipes:

• Om Ali: The delicious Egyptian version of bread pudding made with puff pastry dough, sugar, milk and nuts.
• Rice pudding recipe: A delicious and creamy rice pudding. All kids love it.
• Sweet couscous: This is an easy Mediterranean dessert recipe made with couscous, butter, powdered sugar and nuts.

Tools used in making this recipe:

• Baking pan: Used for the baking.
• Scissors: To cut the dough into 2-3 cm strips.
• Saucepan: Used in making the syrup.

Dessert recipes you may like

• Lazy cake - no-bake chocolate biscuit cake
• Cinnamon pie
• No-bake chocolate oatmeal cookies

Mediterranean Recipes

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