Kunafa with Sugar Syrup and Vanilla Ice Cream

Ingredients

• 1 cup sugar (For the syrup)
• 0.5 cup water (For the syrup)
• 400 g kataifi dough (Shredded pastry dough)
• 1 cup butter (Melted; use some to grease the baking pan)
• 0.5 cup mozzarella cheese (Use slices or shred it)
• 0.5 cup pistachios (Crushed or ground, for topping)
• vanilla ice cream (For topping)
• caramel sauce (For drizzling)

Steps

1. 1

   Make the syrup first. In a medium saucepan, combine the water and sugar over high heat and bring the mixture to a boil.

2. 2

   Once the syrup boils, lower the heat to medium and simmer for 10 minutes. Turn off the heat when it has a runny consistency; it should not be too thick.

3. 3

   In a mixing bowl, combine the kataifi dough with the melted butter and mix until well combined.

4. 4

   Grease the baking pan with some of the melted butter.

5. 5

   Transfer half of the buttered kataifi dough to the pan. Use your hands or a flat-bottomed utensil to spread it evenly and level the layer.

6. 6

   Add the mozzarella evenly over the dough. The cheese may be sliced or shredded.

7. 7

   Add the remaining kataifi dough over the cheese, level it, and press it lightly into place.

8. 8

   Transfer the baking pan to the center rack of the oven and bake for 45–60 minutes, until the kunafa is deep golden brown.

9. 9

   Remove the pastry from the oven and immediately pour the syrup over it.

10. 10

    Top the kunafa with vanilla ice cream and drizzle caramel sauce over the top.

11. 11

    Finish with the crushed or ground pistachios. Slice and serve while still warm.

Notes

The source does not specify an oven temperature, baking-pan size, or quantities for the vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce. Use the melted butter for both mixing with the dough and greasing the pan.

Nutrition per serving

• dessert
• Middle Eastern
• baked
• vegetarian
• sweet
• warm dessert
• cheese-filled