Homemade Turkish Kunefe Recipe | Kunefe Cups Using Muffin Tray | Turkish Sweet Cheese Pastry

butter

🥗Healthier: coconut oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Coconut oil is dairy-free and healthier.

cream

🥗Healthier: Greek yogurt

💰Cheaper: evaporated milk

Greek yogurt reduces calories while maintaining creaminess.

pistachios

🥗Healthier: walnuts

💰Cheaper: almonds

Walnuts are less expensive and provide a similar texture.

sugar

🥗Healthier: stevia

💰Cheaper: honey

Stevia is a low-calorie sweetener.

Add water into a pan and then add sugar. Mix to help the sugar dissolve.

Over medium heat, allow the mixture to come to a boil.

Once boiling, add lemon juice to prevent crystallization. Cook for 5-10 minutes to thicken slightly.

Break kataifi pastry into small pieces with fingers.

Check the syrup; it should be reduced by half. Turn off and set aside.

Add melted butter to the shredded pastry and rub it in until absorbed, turning yellowish.

Mix grape molasses into softened butter until well combined.

Grease kunafi trays or muffin tray with a heaped tablespoon of the butter and molasses mixture, ensuring a good layer at the bottom and up the sides.

Add a thin layer of pastry to the tray, pressing down lightly to avoid thick layers.

Add a thin layer of fresh mozzarella cheese on top of the pastry, leaving space from the edges.

Add another layer of pastry on top of the cheese, ensuring no cheese is visible.

Press down the pastry to flatten and fill any gaps with more pastry.

Neaten the edges with a flat knife, pushing the pastry into the middle and sealing the edges.

For muffin trays, grease only one cup per quantity and fill as before, ensuring a thicker layer on the sides.

Bake in a preheated oven at gas mark 5 for 6-8 minutes, or cook on the lowest heat on a burner for 2-3 minutes on each side, moving constantly.

Flip the tray carefully after 2-3 minutes and cook for another 2-3 minutes, ensuring it doesn't stick.

Optionally, place in the oven for an additional 5 minutes for a crispy top.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens