Kunafa (An Easy Dessert made with Ricotta and Mozzarella)

5 from 2 votes

A famous dessert in the Middle East, made with shredded phyllo dough and sweet cheese. It is super easy to put together and an effortless dessert.

Prep Time15

Cook Time35

Total Time50

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: Arab, Middle Eastern, Palestinian

Keyword: Kunafa, Kunefeh, Palestinian Kenefah

Servings:

Calories: 472kcal

Get Recipe Ingredients

Thaw your shredded phyllo dough according to the package directions.
Preheat your oven to 425F.
Cut phyllo dough into 1-inch pieces with the help of kitchen scissors.
Add 6 tbsp of butter in a glass jar or bowl. Melt your butter in the microwave for 20 to 30 sec. Add 1/4 tsp of orange food coloring.
Add shredded phyllo dough to a bowl and all of the melted butter. Mix it well until all the strands are coated with butter.
Take a baking tray or kunafa tray, coat it with melted butter, and then layer all of your phyllo dough on it.
Take a cup or a ramekin and press the dough to make an even layer.

Add ricotta cheese in a bowl and 3/4 of the fresh mozzarella cheese. I have roughly shredded mozzarella with my hands. Mix it and add an even layer of cheese to the phyllo dough.
Now shred the remaining mozzarella cheese on top of the First layer.

Bake at 425F for 30-35 minutes.
Check kunafa after 25 minutes once the cheese is melted and the edges start leaving the tray. Take it out.

Meanwhile, make the simple syrup by combining sugar and water. Heat it over medium heat while stirring constantly until the sugar dissolves and it comes to a boil. Turn off the stove and leave it on the side to cool down.

Put a large plate on the kunafa and flip it carefully. Add the simple syrup slowly with the help of a ladle.
Garnish with ground pistachio. It tastes good when it's very warm.

Note:

You can also use a 9-inch cake tin for layering or a cast iron skillet will also work just fine. Baking time may vary.