Knafeh: Arabic Cheese Dessert
2018-02-18- Cuisine: Arabic
- Course: Dessert
- Skill Level: Easy
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- Servings : 5
- Prep Time : 20m
- Cook Time : 45m
- Ready In : 60m
Knafeh is the love child of cheese and sugar. If you’re a cheese lover you’ll appreciate every last bite of this dessert. Arabic sweets are a variation of many different cultures due to civilisations that occupied the region. These sweets are unique in taste and are prepared with special care, and are especially popular during the month of Ramazan due to their nutritional benefits. And Knafeh is no exception.
Ingredients
- 250 grams sugar
- 1 lemon juice
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons rose water
- A sprinkle of rose petals
- 16 ounces or a pack of knafeh pastry
- 250 grams butter
- 250 grams mascarpone
- 300 grams crushed nuts and sultanas
- 100 grams desiccated coconut
- 50 grams pistachios
Method
Step 1
Make sugar syrup by adding sugar and a cup of water to a pan. Bring to boil without stirring, once sugar dissolves squeeze lemon juice and add rose water. Bring down to a simmer. Do not stir. The syrup is ready once it thickens. Set aside to cool.
Step 2
In a bowl, toss Knafeh pastry, break it apart, mix with ghee or melted butter. Layer the Knafeh pastry in a pan and pack down tightly, top with mascarpone and over that sprinkle crushed nuts, desiccated coconut and sultanas, adding the second layer of Knafeh and pack down tightly.
Step 3
Place pan in a pre-heated oven — 350 to 375 degrees — and bake until golden brown, for approximately 30 to 35 minutes. Remove from oven and pour syrup. Cool, sprinkle crushed pistachios and rose petals, and serve.

