Kunāfah with Sweet Cheese and Orange Blossom Syrup
A classic Middle Eastern dessert featuring shredded pastry layered with sweet cheese, baked until golden and soaked in fragrant orange blossom syrup. This middle eastern-inspired desserts ready in about 65 minutes layers kataifi (shredded phyllo dough), unsalted butter, melted, sweet mozzarella cheese, shredded into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 8, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 12 oz kataifi (shredded phyllo dough)
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cups sweet mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbsp orange blossom water
- 1/4 cup crushed pistachios
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, separate and fluff 12 oz kataifi shredded phyllo dough and pour in 1 cup melted unsalted butter. Toss gently with your hands until all strands are coated with butter.
- Step 2: In a mixing bowl, combine 2 cups shredded sweet mozzarella cheese with 1 cup ricotta cheese until smooth.
- Step 3: In a 12-inch round baking pan, spread half of the buttered kataifi dough evenly, pressing down gently. Layer the cheese mixture evenly over the dough, then top with the remaining kataifi dough, pressing to compact.
- Step 4: Bake for 40-45 minutes until the top is golden brown and crispy. While baking, prepare the syrup by combining 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar, 1 cup water, and 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and stir in 1 tbsp orange blossom water.
- Step 5: Remove kunāfah from the oven and immediately pour the warm syrup evenly over the hot pastry. Allow to absorb for 10 minutes. Garnish with 1/4 cup crushed pistachios before serving warm.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Kunāfah with Sweet Cheese and Orange Blossom Syrup take to make?
Total time is about 65 minutes (20 min prep + 45 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Kunāfah with Sweet Cheese and Orange Blossom Syrup?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Kunāfah with Sweet Cheese and Orange Blossom Syrup?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Kunāfah with Sweet Cheese and Orange Blossom Syrup for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Kunāfah with Sweet Cheese and Orange Blossom Syrup?
Middle Eastern desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
