Kadayfi
Kadayfi is a sweet dessert made with shredded phyllo dough, nuts, and syrup, popular in many Middle Eastern countries for its crunchy texture and rich flavors.
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- 1 package kadayfi (shredded phyllo dough)
- 3 cups mixed nuts (such as walnuts, pistachios, and almonds), finely chopped
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
Optional garnish
- crushed pistachios for garnish
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, mix the chopped nuts with a little sugar and cinnamon if desired. Set aside.
- Carefully pull apart the kadayfi dough and place half of it in a greased baking dish, making sure to spread it out evenly.
- Drizzle half of the melted butter over the dough and press it down gently.
- Spread the nut mixture evenly over the first layer of kadayfi.
- Cover the nuts with the remaining kadayfi dough, spreading it out evenly. Drizzle the rest of the melted butter over the top.
Baking
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden and crisp.
Syrup preparation
- While the kadayfi is baking, make the syrup: In a saucepan, combine the sugar, water, vanilla extract, and lemon juice. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 10 minutes until the syrup thickens slightly.
Final steps
- Once the kadayfi is done baking, remove it from the oven and immediately pour the hot syrup over the dessert while it is still hot.
- Allow it to cool before serving. Garnish with crushed pistachios if desired.
Notes
Serve Kadayfi warm or at room temperature. It is best cut into squares or diamond shapes. You can enjoy it by itself or with a scoop of ice cream or some whipped cream on the side for extra sweetness. Store any leftover Kadayfi in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. If you want to keep it longer, you can refrigerate it, but it is best enjoyed fresh.