Kunafeh (Arabic Dessert) - Sab's Cuisines

cream cheese

🥗Healthier: ricotta cheese

💰Cheaper: cottage cheese

Ricotta offers a lighter texture with fewer calories.

butter

🥗Healthier: coconut oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Coconut oil provides a dairy-free alternative.

sugar

🥗Healthier: agave syrup

💰Cheaper: honey

Agave syrup has a lower glycemic index.

pistachios

🥗Healthier: almonds

💰Cheaper: sunflower seeds

Almonds are more accessible and still provide crunch.

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).

Melt butter in a large bowl.

Tear the bread into small pieces and mix with melted butter until well coated.

Spread half of the buttered bread in an even layer in a baking dish.

In a separate bowl, combine sugar, water, rose water, and orange blossom water; stir until sugar dissolves.

In another bowl, mix cream cheese with vanilla extract, cinnamon, and nutmeg until smooth.

Spread the cream cheese mixture over the bread layer in the baking dish.

Top with the remaining buttered bread, pressing down gently.

Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes until golden brown.

Remove from the oven and pour the sugar syrup evenly over the hot kunafa.

Let it cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Garnish with crushed pistachios and walnuts before serving.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens