Authentic Middle Eastern Knafeh

1.Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).

2.In a large bowl, mix the shredded phyllo dough with melted butter until well combined.

3.Spread half of the buttered phyllo evenly in a greased baking dish to form the base layer.

4.Crumble the akkawi cheese evenly over the phyllo layer.

5.Cover the cheese with the remaining buttered phyllo, pressing gently to compact the layers.

6.Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the knafeh turns golden brown and crispy on top.

7.Meanwhile, in a saucepan, combine sugar and water over medium heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved.

8.Add orange blossom water and rose water to the sugar syrup, then simmer for 10 minutes until slightly thickened.

9.Once the knafeh is baked, pour the hot syrup evenly over the hot pastry, allowing it to absorb.

10.Garnish with chopped pistachios and let it cool for 10-15 minutes before serving.

11.Slice and serve the knafeh warm, savoring the delicious combination of crunchy pastry and gooey cheese with sweet, floral syrup.