Künefe (Turkish Sweet Cheese Pastry)
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5.0
                                            
                                            9 reviews
                                        
                                    
                                        Excellent
                                    
                                
																									Künefe (Turkish Sweet Cheese Pastry)
															
																
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													A recipe for Künefe (Turkish Sweet Cheese Pastry)! Cheese is arranged between two layers of Kadayıf (shredded phyllo), cooked until golden, and soaked in a sweet syrup.
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                                Ingredients
Syrup:
- 2 cups (400 grams) granulated sugar
 - 2 cups (470 milliliters) water
 - 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) freshly squeezed lemon juice
 
For greasing the pan:
- 4 tablespoons (60 grams) unsalted butter softened at room temperature
 - 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) grape molasses
 
Pastry:
- 1 pound (454 grams) Kadayıf (kadaifi/kataifi), shredded phyllo
 - 1 cup (227 grams) unsalted butter melted
 - 10 ounces (283 grams) unsalted and stringy Turkish cheese or Mozzarella
 
Garnish:
- Finely ground pistachios for topping
 
Instructions
To make the syrup:
- In a medium pot, bring the sugar and water to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook until the sugar is dissolved and the liquid is starting to thicken slightly, about 10 minutes.
 - Stir in the lemon juice and simmer for another 1-2 minutes to blend the flavors.
 - Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature.
 
To grease the pans:
- In a small bowl, mix together the softened butter and grape molasses.
 - Generously grease 4-6 individual or one large stove-safe pans with half the butter (they will be greased again before flipping the pastries).
 
To arrange the pastry:
- Roughly chop the Kadayıf into 1 inch (2.5 centimeter) pieces and place in a large bowl.
 - Pour the melted butter over the chopped Kadayıf and toss to thoroughly coat.
 - Press a layer of the coated Kadayıf across the bottom and sides of the prepared pans.
 - Cover each layer of pastry with a layer of the cheese, leaving about a 1/2 inch (1.25 centimeter) border around the edges.
 - Cover the cheese with another layer of the Kadayif. Press down to completely enclose the layer of cheese, especially around the sides.
 - Place the pan over medium low heat. Cook until the bottom is golden, adjusting the heat between medium and low as needed, for about 6 minutes.
 - Carefully flip the pastry onto a plate.
 - Grease the pan again with the grape molasses butter mixture and place the pastry back into the pan, golden side up.
 - Place the pan back over medium low heat and cook until golden on the bottom, another 4-5 minutes.
 - Remove the pan from heat and immediately pour the desired amount of cooled syrup over the pastry to soak.
 - Serve the Künefe hot while the cheese is still melted and stretchy.
 
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Overall Rating
5.0
                                                
                                                9 reviews
                                            
                                        
                                            Excellent
                                        
                                        
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