Easy knafeh Recipe

The Shahrouks share their deliciously easy and budget-friendly take on a hugely popular Levant dessert, knafeh. Traditionally a sweet cheese pastry, the sisters' version ditches heavy unsalted mozzarella for a lighter custard mixture, and swaps out kataifi pastry for a simple but genius crushed Cornflake crust. Slather in their homemade orange blossom and rose water syrup and you're in heaven.

Cooking Method: fridge set
Cooking Time: less than 60 minutes
Serves: serves 10 or more
Course: dessert
Cuisine: Lebanese, Middle Eastern
Difficulty: easy

Ingredients

3L whole milk
1×600ml thickened cream
1 box sifted white wings cornflour
9 level tablespoons white sugar
1 capful of Cortas Rose Water
1 capful of Cortas Orange Blossom Water
1 box Corn Flake crumbs
50g unsalted butter
500g pistachio nuts, crushed (optional)
Atar (sugar syrup)
2 cups sugar
1 cup water
squeeze of lemon (approximately 1/2 small lemon)
1 teaspoon Cortas Rose Water
1 teaspoon Cortas Orange Blossom Water

Method

Makes: 30 portions (subject to size of slices)

1. Smear two serving platters/trays (approximately 30cm x 25cm x 4cm) with unsalted butter, then dust surface with Cornflake crumbs.

For the custard:

1. Combine all ingredients in a large pot and stir to combine.
Place pot over a high heat setting and cook, stirring constantly. Bring mixture to the boil.

2. Continue to cook until mixture thickens, approximatey 15 minutes, and pour immediately into prepared trays.

3. Dust with another layer of Cornflake crumbs, and leave on the counter for approximately ½-1 hour to set.

For the sugar syrup:

1. Place all ingredients in a medium saucepan and bring to the boil, stirring sugar to dissolve.

2. Reduce to a medium heat and cook for 8 minutes or until mixture thickens — you can test if mixture is ready by coating a spoon with syrup, and if the spoon sticks to a plate, it's ready.

To assemble:

1. Once the knafeh mixture is set, sprinkle with crushed pistachio, and drizzle with syrup. Serve immediately.

Note:
- If you have time, before sprinkling nuts, scatter with small dollops of unsalted butter and bake in oven for a further 8-10 minutes.

Image and recipe courtesy of the Shahrouk sisters and Family Food Fight.

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