Mama's Kunafa — The Egyptian Way
- The Egyptian Cook
- Mar 11, 2025
- 2 min read
This Egyptian style kunafa (also spelled kunafeh) is crispy, golden, and layered with a rich nut filling instead of cheese. It is made with shredded kunafa dough tossed in clarified butter, baked until perfectly crisp, then soaked in a warm, citrus-kissed simple syrup. The center is packed with walnuts, golden raisins, and a touch of cinnamon for just the right balance of sweetness and texture.
Ingredients
For the Simple Syrup:
2 cups water
2 cups sugar
juice of ½ lemon
vanillin powder
For the Nut Filling:
walnuts
golden raisins
sugar
ground cinnamon
For the Kunafa Dough:
16 ounces shredded phyllo dough
8 tablespoons clarified butter, melted
½ cup sugar
Instructions
Prepare the Simple Syrup
Start by preparing the simple syrup. In a pot, combine equal parts water and sugar and bring it to a low simmer, stirring frequently. Squeeze in fresh lemon juice and continue stirring as it cooks. Allow the mixture to reduce slightly until it thickens.
Once the syrup has reached the right consistency, turn off the heat. Add vanillin, mix well, and set it aside to cool completely to room temperature.
Make the Nut Filling
To prepare the filling, combine crushed walnuts, golden raisins, sugar, and a pinch of cinnamon in a bowl. Mix everything together until evenly combined, then set the mixture aside.
Preparing the Kunafa Dough
Begin by tearing the kunafa dough into smaller pieces. Once fully shredded, place it into a large bowl. Add melted clarified butter and sugar, then massage everything together thoroughly.
The sugar helps sweeten the kunafa while also helping it hold its shape during baking.
Assemble the Kunafa
Now it is time to layer the kunafa. Take half of the kunafa mixture and press it firmly into the bottom of your pan to create an even base layer.
Add the nut filling as the middle layer, spreading it evenly across. Then top it with the remaining kunafa and press it down gently to form a smooth, even top layer.
Bake the Kunafa
Bake the kunafa in a preheated oven at 400°F for about 20 minutes, or until the top becomes golden brown and crisp.
Finish and Serve
Remove the kunafa from the oven and immediately pour the cooled simple syrup over the top. Cover it with foil and allow it to cool before cutting and serving.
Okay, khalas! If you try my recipe, post it on Instagram
and tag me @theegyptiancook... or else I will yell at you!
