145. Knafa Buns

Kanafa, kunafeh, or kanafeh, is a traditional sweet Arab cheese pastry originating from Palestine.
Knafa comes in many shapes, forms, and flavors, with the most famous version named Knafa Nablusi in honor of the Palestinian city of Nablus.

These cute knafa are mini and made with spread cheese and mozzarella cheese.
The basis of making knafa is very simple: knafa dough tossed in butter or ghee, stuffed with cheese, cooked and soaked in sugar syrup.
These knafa are made even easier by making them in muffin tins.

Ingredients: (makes about 18)

For the knafa:
500g knafa dough
1 cup butter, melted
9 squares kiri
1 cup grated mozzarella

For the sugar syrup:
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
1 tsp orange blossom
1 tsp lemon juice

Method:

Make the syrup first by boiling the sugar and water for about 8 minutes.
Remove from fire, add the orange blossom an the lemon juice; set aside to cool.

Preheat oven to 350°F.
To make the knafa, shred the dough in a food processor until fine.
Add the melted butter to the dough, toss to coat.
Place a tablespoon of the dough in a muffin tin.
Press to compact with the bottom of a glass (see picture).
Place half a square of cream cheese and some shredded mozzarella cheese.
Top with another tablespoon of dough, and press again with the glass bottom.

Bake for 20 minutes until you see the edges are golden.
Immediately invert and pour the cooled syrup on top.
Serve warm, as is or decorated with nuts of choice.

 صحة و عافية