Kunefe is a traditional dessert for Turkey and the surrounding Arabic countries. It can be pronounced in many different ways (unāfah, künefe, kadaïfi, kataïfi, knafeh, Kunafeh, knafeh, or kunafah) but always taste delicious and it`s a great treat for the Ramadan table.  The dessert itself is a cheese pastry soaked in sweet sugar-based syrup.

The best is to eat the dessert right after is ready so you can feel the delicious melted cheese layer in between. If you make big quantity you can always preheat it for a minute in the microwave.

Ingredients:

For Syrup:

– 2 cups white sugar

– 1 1/2 cups water

– 1/2 cup rose water

– 1 stick cinnamon

For Kunefe:

– 2 packages vermicelli/kadaif
– 200 g unsalted cheese
– 200 g melted butter

For Decoration:

– 2-3 tbsp finely ground pistachios

Preparation:

1. Mix the syrup ingredients  and put on the stove. Let it boil and remove from heat. Let it cool.

2. Shred the kadaif in a food processor or chop it up with a sharp knife

3. Mix the shredded pastry with the melted butter

4. Place half the pastry on a 20 cm baking tray.

5. Cover with a layer of cheese and then finish with another layer of pastry.

6. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees and bake for 30-40 minutes.

7. Take it out form the oven and pour the sugar syrup.

8. Serve hot and decorated with pistachios