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Künefe — traditional dish from Hatay, Turkey
Dessert Vegetarian

Food Flavour DNA

Nutritional Values

🔥400kcal
💪10gProtein
🌾40gCarbs
🥑22gFat
🌿1gFibre
⚖️100 gServing

* Per serving · 100 g. May vary.

Allergens

🌾 Gluten 🥛 Dairy

Künefe

How to order / say it
Say it Künefe — [Koo-ne-feh]
Order I'd like the künefe, please.
Locally Künefe alabilir miyim, lütfen?
Say locally

A dessert made with thin shredded pastry soaked in syrup and filled with soft cheese.

Why try it?

Künefe captures the juxtaposition of textures and flavors that define Turkish desserts, providing a glimpse into the sweet indulgence of Istanbul's culinary traditions.

How it tastes

Crunchy and warm with the softness of melted cheese, sweetened with syrup, creating a rich dessert that's unique and gratifying.

Origin & History — first documented: 1600

Künefe has roots in the Levantine regions, introduced to Turkey during the Ottoman Empire's expanse in the 7th century, becoming a festive treat particularly in southern Turkey.

Recipe

Ingredients

  • 🌾 200 g shredded phyllo dough
  • 🥛 150 g unsalted cheese
  • 🥛 100 g butter
  • 🍯 150 g sugar
  • 100 ml water
  • 🍋 10 ml lemon juice

Method

  1. 1 Melt butter and layer half the phyllo in a baking dish, press firmly.
  2. 2 Spread cheese evenly over dough layer, top with remaining phyllo.
  3. 3 Bake until golden brown, while preparing a simple syrup.
  4. 4 Pour syrup over hot künefe and serve warm.
All Europe recipes — Turkey — Istanbul — Künefe
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