Mango Kunafa

40 mins cooking time
Strap on your apron and bake up the Middle Eastern classic, Mango Kunafa. This dessert, also known as Knafeh, delights with its golden kataifi pastry, sweet floral syrup, and a rich, three-cheese filling. The fresh, ripe mango brings a juicy sweetness that complements the floral notes of the syrup infused with cardamom, orange zest, and rose water. An experience in a dish, blending crispy, fruity, sweet and fragrant notes, all elevated with Lurpak®.
Mango Kunafa Mango Kunafa

Mango Kunafa

  • 40 mins cooking time
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Strap on your apron and bake up the Middle Eastern classic, Mango Kunafa. This dessert, also known as Knafeh, delights with its golden kataifi pastry, sweet floral syrup, and a rich, three-cheese filling. The fresh, ripe mango brings a juicy sweetness that complements the floral notes of the syrup infused with cardamom, orange zest, and rose water. An experience in a dish, blending crispy, fruity, sweet and fragrant notes, all elevated with Lurpak®.
Strap on your apron and bake up the Middle Eastern classic, Mango Kunafa. This dessert, also known as Knafeh, delights with its golden kataifi pastry, sweet floral syrup, and a rich, three-cheese filling. The fresh, ripe mango brings a juicy sweetness that complements the floral notes of the syrup infused with cardamom, orange zest, and rose water. An experience in a dish, blending crispy, fruity, sweet and fragrant notes, all elevated with Lurpak®.

Method

1
Preheat oven to 200°C/180°C fan/gas mark 6.
Syrup
1
Place all ingredients in a small saucepan and bring slowly to a boil.
2
When the sugar is melted, lower the heat and simmer for 5 minutes or until the syrup thickens.
3
Take off the boil and leave the spices in for the flavour to infuse.
Kunafa
1
Mix the three cheeses in a large bowl and set aside.
2
Put the kataifi pastry into a large bowl and separate into strands. Add butter and massage it into the pastry until it is completely covered in the butter.
3
Add half the pastry to a frying pan and top with the cheese mixture, leaving a 1cm rim around the sides. Top with the remaining pastry.
4
Place the pan on low heat and cook for 2 minutes to give the pastry some colour, moving the pan continuously so it does not catch.
5
Carefully turn over the kunafa by placing a plate on top of the frying pan and flipping it. Put the kunafa back into the pan and cook on the other side for 2 minutes.
TIP
Before flipping the kunafa, run a spatula around the edges to loosen it. This makes it easier to flip onto a plate without breaking the pastry or disturbing the filling.
6
Place in the oven for 10-15 minutes or until golden and hot.
7
Remove from the oven and pour over the syrup.
To serve
1
Top with pistachios, prepared mango and dried rose petals and serve warm.
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Bake up a rich, indulgent dessert with our mango kunafa recipe

Mango kunafa is the ultimate Middle Eastern dessert – where aromatic ingredients and fresh mango create something extraordinary. Discover the crispy and golden kataifi pastry, coated in butter and baked until it reaches a crisp, golden perfection. The magic lies in the way the cardamom and citrus syrup soaks into the pastry, delivering a warm, fragrant sweetness that balances the buttery crunch. The cardamom brings a subtle spiciness, while orange blossom adds a light, floral lift, finished with the citrusy brightness of orange zest. The mango on top offers a juicy burst of tropical freshness, complementing the delicate, floral notes of orange blossom and rose water. As the pastry bakes, it forms a delicate, flaky texture. Try this recipe and bake up a dessert that looks, tastes, and feels truly special.

Enjoy the sweet cheese filling enveloped in crispy kataifi pastry

The heart of kunafa is its three-cheese filling – a blend of mozzarella, ricotta, and akawi that creates a rich, creamy, and mildly salty flavour profile that is tasty against the fresh, fruity mango. The mozzarella offers a subtle creaminess and melts beautifully, binding the filling together with its mild, milky base. The ricotta adds a light, airy texture with a slightly sweet, milky taste that balances the saltiness of the akawi, which introduces a distinct, tangy, salty, and savoury note without overpowering the other cheeses.

Combined, these cheeses melt into a velvety, gooey centre that contrasts perfectly with the crispy, buttery kataifi pastry. The light, flaky pastry layers are achieved by coating every strand with butter, ensuring they turn golden and crisp during baking. This combination of soft, stretchy cheese and crispy pastry offers a satisfying, comforting, and indulgent bite with a delicious textural and flavourful balance.

Celebrate the sweet and tropical mango flavour

Take this kunafa to the next level with fresh, ripe mangoes added on top of the dessert straight from the oven. Enjoy their vibrant sweetness and delicate tropical notes as the diced mango melts slightly into the warm pastry and cheese filling, adding a juicy burst to every bite. Its natural tang balances the rich cheese and crispy kataifi pastry, adding a refreshing layer of fruitiness.

Top with crunchy pistachios, sweet mango, and delicate rose petals

As a final touch, chopped pistachios provide a nutty, savoury crunch that balances the fruity, blossomy sweetness of the syrup. Lightly toasted, they add an extra layer of crispiness, complementing the soft, creamy filling and the flaky pastry. Visually, it adds a beautiful green touch to the dessert. The dried rose petals bring a subtle floral aroma that is a delight against the citrusy, cardamom-infused sugar syrup. The petals also offer a light, airy texture and a delicate visual touch that makes the dessert as pleasing to the eye as it is to the palate.

Pistachios are common in Middle Eastern cooking, and you can enjoy the bright green nuts in other delicious desserts, such as these orange and cardamom pancakes sprinkled with pistachios.

If you like exploring foreign cooking cultures, you might also want to try our recipe for Romanian Easter bread called Cozonac, Greek Tsoureki, or a delicious Black Forest cake of German origin.

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With Lurpak® by your side you’re always ready to cook, bake and fry up wonders, cook. With its delicate taste, Lurpak® Unsalted Butter enhances the flavour of whatever food you add it to. From a hearty risotto dish, your weekend baking creations, to some simple earthy mushrooms, its subtle notes complement every creation you rustle up in the kitchen. For people who love Good Food, Lurpak® makes it even better. Now sleeves up. Today we cook bold.

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