Dessert
Kunefe
The star dessert of the Middle East: a golden, crispy crust hiding a molten cheese center, all drenched in a lemon-scented syrup.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Serves
- 6 servings
Ingredients
- 150g (¾ cup) semolina
- 100g (⅓ cup + 1 tbsp) butter
- 200g (7 oz) mozzarella
- 200g (1 cup) sugar
- 200ml (¾ cup + 1 tbsp) water
- 1 lemon
- 30g (¼ cup) walnuts
Instructions
Make the syrup by boiling the sugar, water, and a few drops of lemon juice for 5 minutes, until lightly syrupy. Let cool completely.
Melt the butter and mix it into the semolina to coat it well.
Line a buttered dish with half the semolina, packing it down firmly.
Scatter the grated or shredded mozzarella over it, then cover with the remaining semolina, packing down again.
Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20–25 minutes, until the top is deeply golden and crisp.
Straight from the oven, pour the cold syrup generously over it and sprinkle with crushed walnuts before serving warm.