Künefe (Turkish Sweet Cheese Pastry)

User Reviews

5

6 reviews
Excellent
  • Prep Time

    30 mins

  • Cook Time

    50 mins

  • Total Time

    1 hr 20 mins

  • Servings

    4 -6 Servings

  • Course

    Dessert

  • Cuisine

    Turkish

Künefe (Turkish Sweet Cheese Pastry)

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

Servings

Syrup:

  • 2 cups granulated sugar 400 grams
  • 2 cups water 470 milliliters
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice freshly squeezed, 15 milliliters

For greasing the pan:

  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter softened at room temperature, 60 grams
  • 1 tablespoon grape molasses 15 milliliters

Pastry:

  • 1 pound kadayıf kadaifi/kataifi), shredded phyllo, 454 grams
  • 1 cup unsalted butter melted
  • 10 ounces Turkish cheese or Mozzarella, unsalted and stringy, 283 grams

Garnish:

  • pistachio for topping, finely ground

Instructions

To make the syrup:

  1. 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.
  2. Stir in the lemon juice and simmer for another 1-2 minutes to blend the flavors.
  3. Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature.

To grease the pans:

  1. In a small bowl, mix together the softened butter and grape molasses.
  2. 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:

  1. Roughly chop the Kadayıf into 1 inch (2.5 centimeter) pieces and place in a large bowl.
  2. Pour the melted butter over the chopped Kadayıf and toss to thoroughly coat.
  3. Press a layer of the coated Kadayıf across the bottom and sides of the prepared pans.
  4. Cover each layer of pastry with a layer of the cheese, leaving about a 1/2 inch (1.25 centimeter) border around the edges.
  5. Cover the cheese with another layer of the Kadayif. Press down to completely enclose the layer of cheese, especially around the sides.
  6. 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.
  7. Carefully flip the pastry onto a plate.
  8. Grease the pan again with the grape molasses butter mixture and place the pastry back into the pan, golden side up.
  9. Place the pan back over medium low heat and cook until golden on the bottom, another 4-5 minutes.
  10. Remove the pan from heat and immediately pour the desired amount of cooled syrup over the pastry to soak.
  11. Serve the Künefe hot while the cheese is still melted and stretchy.
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5

6 reviews
Excellent

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