Kunafa

Kunafa

Kunafa

Benetta Lobo
Kunafa/Kanafeh is a Middle Eastern Dessert, also known as the Queen of Middle Eastern desserts. In recent times, it has gained much popularity especially amongst Pakistanis. It has a crunchy texture at the top and a creamy filling. There are many variations of the filling, you can use mozzarella for a stringy texture or you can also use cream cheese or ricotta filling. I have used a more simple form of filling which gives a very Desi touch to its taste.
The actual Kunafa is made with a special Kunafa filo pastry but if you don't have this easily available you can use Vermicilli (Sewiyaan) as a replacement.
5 from 3 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine Arabic, Mediterranean, Pakistani, Turkish
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

Kunafa Filling

  • 1 cup Milk Full cream
  • 1/2 cup Thickened Cream
  • 1.5 Tbsp Sugar
  • 2 Tbsp Semolina
  • 3 Tbsp Cornflour
  • 1/3 Cup Mozarella Shredded

Syrup

  • 1/2 cup Sugar Can increase the quantity if you want it more sweet
  • 1 cup Water
  • 1 tsp Kewra Water
  • 2 Green Cardomon Slightly crushed

Kunafa Topping/Base

  • 2 Cups Kunafa Filo Pastry/Vermicilli
  • 2 Drops Orange Food Colour
  • 5 Tbsp Butter

Instructions
 

Syrup

  • Pour sugar in the water and give it a stir until it melts, flame should be medium
  • Once the sugar melts, don't stir and bring the syrup to a boil, if you would like it sweeter you may add more sugar
  • Add Kewra water and crushed cardamom and let it simmer for 2 minutes
  • Now take the syrup off the stove and keep it aside

Filling

  • Combine the milk and the cream in a sauce pan and mix well
  • Now put it on the stove on medium flame
  • Add the sugar and semolina and keep stiring until combined
  • Now mix the cornflour with water and form a paste
  • Pour the cornflour paste in the milk and cream mixture and keep stirring until it thickens
  • You may add more cornflour so that it thickens, the texture should be like thick cream
  • Once the mixture is thick enough take it off the stove and let it cool

Kunafa Topping/Base

  • Melt the butter until its in a liquid form
  • Now crush the Kunafa Filo Pastry/Vermicilli into small pieces and mix the melted butter well into it

Assembly

  • Pre heat the oven
  • Grease a cake dish or any pyrex bowl evenly (ensure that the dish is medium sized)
  • Put a layer of the Kunafa Crust/Vermicilli on the base (use half for the base and the other half for the topping)
  • Put a layer of the mozzarella cheese over the base
  • Now pour your cream mixture evenly
  • Cover the Kunafa with the rest of the Vermicilli
  • Now put it in the oven for about 20-30 minutes on 200 degrees C
  • After taking it out from the oven immediately pour half of the Sugar syrup
  • Let it cool for about 7 minutes and them take it out from the dish onto a plate
  • Garnish it with Pistachios and almonds
  • The remaining of the syrup can be used later if you want it sweeter, you can pour the rest of it when serving
  • This dish needs to be served warm
Keyword Kanafa, Kanafeh, Kunafa, Kunafeh, Vermiclli Dessert
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