How to make the viral bread kunafa at home in minutes

You might have seen it popping up in reels or food blogs, bread kunafa, the easy twist on a beloved Middle Eastern dessert. And yes, it's as doable as it looks.

Kunafa, also spelled knafeh, konafa, kunefe, kenafe, or knefeh, has deep roots in the Arab world. The name itself is thought to come from the Arabic word kanaf, meaning “to shelter” or “to protect”, a nod, perhaps, to the way the two layers of dough encase the cheese inside.

Over time, kunafa has traveled far beyond its origin, adapting with each kitchen it enters. The version making the rounds now is a simpler, quicker one, bread kunafa. It’s likely you already have the ingredients at home. Here’s how to make it.

Ingredients


To make this simple bread kunafa at home, you’ll need a few basic ingredients.

2 slices of bread(or 250 gms if you are using breadcrumbs)

1 slice of processed cheese or roughly 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella

1/2 cup (about 100 grams) of melted butter

Sugar Syrup made from equal parts sugar and water (1/2 cup each) + 1 tsp lemon juice

Dry fruits for garnishing

170g thick cream or fresh cream

A dash of rose water or orange blossom water

Crushed thin vermicelli or coarse kunafa dough (about 1/2 cup)

How to make the viral bread kunafa


Start by combining sugar and water in a pan. Bring to a boil and let it simmer until slightly thickened, around 5 minutes should do. Add lemon juice at this stage. If you like, stir in a little rose water or orange blossom water for aroma. Set it aside to cool.


There are two ways to go here. If you're using sliced bread, trim off the crusts. For breadcrumbs, pulse the bread in a food processor until fine.


If you’re using breadcrumbs, combine them with the melted butter or ghee until well-coated and slightly clumpy. This will help form a base and topping.

Assembly Options

Using sliced bread:
Place a slice of cheese between two trimmed slices of bread. If you want a crunchy layer, dip this sandwich in beaten egg and milk, then roll it in crushed vermicelli or kunafa dough.


Using breadcrumbs:
Grease your pan, either a small baking dish or a thick-bottomed pan if you’re cooking on the stove. Press two-thirds of the breadcrumb-butter mix into the base and slightly up the sides. Add a layer of cream (optional) and then the cheese. Finish with the rest of the breadcrumb mix on top and press gently.

Cooking the Kunafa Stovetop:
Melt a bit of butter in a pan. Cook the bread kunafa on low heat until the base crisps up and the cheese melts. Flip carefully if needed.


Oven method:
Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (around 356°F) for about 25 to 30 minutes, or until golden brown on top.

At last when the kunafa is warm, pour sugar syrup, as per your liking, and finally garnish it with dry fruits for the perfect bite.