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Everyday Kitchen Ideas
Dessert

Creamy Cheese Kunafa

A crispy kunafa layer filled with a creamy cream cheese mixture, finished with sugar syrup and chopped pistachios.

Cooking
20-25 minutes
Creamy Cheese Kunafa

Ingredients

KUNAFA LAYER

  • kunafa — 200 g (vermicelli)
  • unsalted butter, melted — 1/4 cup ((60 ml))
  • sugar — 2 tbsp
  • milk — 2 tbsp
  • A few drops of yellow food colour (optional)
  • chopped pistachios — 2 tbsp (for garnish)

CREAMY FILLING

  • cream cheese — 200 g
  • fresh cream — 1/2 cup
  • powdered sugar — 1/4 cup
  • vanilla essence — 1/2 tsp

SUGAR SYRUP

  • sugar — 1 cup
  • water — 1 cup
  • lemon juice — 1 tsp
  • rose water — 1/2 tsp (optional)

Directions

  1. Step 1: Make the Sugar Syrup

    In a pan, add sugar and water. Bring to a boil. Add lemon juice and rose water. Boil for 5 minutes. Keep aside to cool.

  2. Step 2: Coat the Kunafa

    In a bowl, add kunafa and melted butter. Mix well with your hands until all the strands are coated.

  3. Step 3: Season the Kunafa

    Add sugar, milk and food colour. Mix gently.

  4. Step 4: Press the First Kunafa Layer

    Take a baking dish. Add half of the kunafa mixture and press gently to make a layer.

  5. Step 5: Prepare the Creamy Filling

    Beat cream cheese until smooth. Add fresh cream, powdered sugar and vanilla essence. Beat again until creamy.

  6. Step 6: Add the Filling

    Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the kunafa layer.

  7. Step 7: Add the Top Kunafa Layer

    Add the remaining kunafa on top and press gently.

  8. Step 8: Bake

    Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C for 20–25 minutes, or until golden and crispy.

  9. Step 9: Add the Syrup

    Pour the warm sugar syrup over the hot kunafa.

  10. Step 10: Garnish and Rest

    Garnish with chopped pistachios. Let it rest for 10 minutes.

  11. Step 11: Serve

    Serve warm or chilled.