Dessert · Middle Eastern ·

Turkish Kunefe with Pistachio and Rose Water Syrup

Name: Turkish Kunefe with Pistachio and Rose Water Syrup
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 90 min
Total time: 120 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: Dessert
Ingredients: Kataifi dough, 500g, thawed and gently pulled apart; Unsalted butter, 250g, melted; Turkish or mozzarella cheese, 300g, grated; Granulated sugar, 200g; Water, 250ml; Lemon juice, 2 tablespoons; Rose water, 1 teaspoon; Pistachios, 50g, finely chopped; Rose petals, 1 tablespoon, dried or fresh

Experience the rich flavors of Turkey with this exquisite dessert featuring crispy kataifi pastry, soft cheese, and a fragrant rose water syrup.

4.7(266 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·July 21, 2025

Turkish Kunefe with Pistachio and Rose Water Syrup — Dessert served and photographed from above

Prep

30 min

Cook

1 h 30 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

Kunefe Base

Rose Water Syrup

Topping

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 708 kcal
Protein: 13.25 g
Carbs: 76.75 g
Fat: 40.63 g
Fiber: 1.88 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 5662 kcal
Protein: 106 g
Carbs: 614 g
Fat: 325 g
Fiber: 15 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
Kataifi dough 500g, thawed and gently pulled apart	1900	31	389	27	9
Unsalted butter 250g, melted	1778	2	2	202	0
Turkish or mozzarella cheese 300g, grated	912	63	6	73	0
Granulated sugar 200g	774	0	200	0	0
Water 250ml	0	0	0	0	0
Lemon juice 2 tablespoons	8	0	2	0	0
Rose water 1 teaspoon	0	0	0	0	0
Pistachios 50g, finely chopped	289	10	15	23	6
Rose petals 1 tablespoon, dried or fresh	1	0	0	0	0

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Preparing the Kunefe Base

1
Preheat Oven
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
2
Coat Kataifi
Mix the kataifi dough with melted butter until all strands are evenly coated.
3
Assemble in Dish
Butter a 25cm round baking dish, press half the kataifi dough into the base, spread the grated cheese, and cover with the remaining dough.

Preparing the Rose Water Syrup

1
Combine & Boil
Combine sugar and water in a saucepan, bring to a boil over medium heat while stirring.
2
Simmer
Reduce heat, add lemon juice, and simmer for 10 more minutes until slightly thickened.
3
Finish & Cool
Remove from heat, stir in rose water, and let cool.
Tip: Ensure the syrup is completely cooled before pouring over the baked kunefe to maintain its crispiness.

How to Make Turkish Kunefe with Pistachio and Rose Water Syrup

Total time: 2 h · Yields 8 servings

1
Baking
Bake the kunefe for 30-40 minutes until golden brown.
2
Adding Syrup
Once baked, immediately pour the cool syrup evenly over the hot kunefe.
3
Cooling
Allow the kunefe to absorb the syrup and cool slightly before serving.