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5.0 from 9 votes

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.

Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
1 hr 20 mins
Servings: 4 -6 Servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Turkish

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:
    Cup of Yum
  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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