Israeli Sweet Cheese Pastry (M'tabbak)
A delightful sweet pastry featuring flaky layers filled with a creamy, slightly sweet cheese. Drizzled with syrup and often garnished with pistachios, M'tabbak is a popular treat, especially in Jerusalem.
🧂 Ingredients
- 0.5 sheet Puff Pastry(approx. 5x11 inches, thawed)
- 300 g Akkawi Cheese(desalted and well-drained, crumbled)
- 1 tablespoon Granulated Sugar(for filling)
- 3 tablespoons Unsalted Butter(melted, for brushing)
- 1 cup Water(for syrup)
- 1 cup Granulated Sugar(for syrup)
- 0.25 teaspoon Orange Blossom Water(or to taste)
- 2 teaspoons Lemon Juice
- 2 tablespoons Crushed Pistachios(for garnish (optional))
- 1 teaspoon Nigella Seeds(for garnish (optional))
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the syrup: In a saucepan, combine 1 cup water and 1 cup sugar. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat and boil for 2-3 minutes until the sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat, stir in the orange blossom water and lemon juice. Set aside to cool.
- 2
Prepare the filling: In a bowl, combine the crumbled Akkawi cheese with 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar. Mix well.
- 3
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly butter a large baking sheet or line with parchment paper.
💡 Tip: A well-greased or lined baking sheet prevents sticking. - 4
On a lightly floured surface, roll out the puff pastry sheet to form a rectangle approximately 7-inch x 12.5-inch. Cut the rectangle horizontally into three equal pieces, then cut each piece into two squares, yielding six squares in total. Roll out each square slightly thinner.
💡 Tip: Work quickly with puff pastry to keep it cold. - 5
Lightly brush the surface of each pastry square with melted butter. Spoon about 3-4 tablespoons of the cheese mixture into the center of each square, leaving a 2-inch border.
- 6
Fold the pastry to enclose the filling. You can fold in the corners to create an envelope shape, or fold diagonally into a triangle, sealing the edges by pressing with your fingers or a fork.
💡 Tip: Ensure the edges are well-sealed to prevent the filling from leaking out. - 7
Place the prepared pastries on the baking sheet. Brush the tops with melted butter.
💡 Tip: For an extra golden crust, you can brush with an egg wash before the butter. - 8
Bake for 10-13 minutes, or until the pastries are golden brown and puffed.
💡 Tip: Keep an eye on them as puff pastry can brown quickly. - 9
Remove from the oven. Drizzle generously with the prepared syrup. Garnish with crushed pistachios and nigella seeds, if desired.
💡 Tip: Serve warm for the best texture.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Akkawi cheese is a mild, slightly salty white cheese common in the Middle East. If unavailable, a mix of mozzarella and feta can be substituted, though the flavor will differ.
- ✓Ensure the cheese is well-drained and patted dry to prevent a soggy pastry.
- ✓The orange blossom water adds a traditional floral note to the syrup; adjust to your preference.
🔄 Variations
- Add a pinch of cinnamon or cardamom to the cheese filling for added warmth.
- For a different flavor profile, use a mixture of ricotta and mozzarella cheese.
- If you prefer a less sweet pastry, reduce the amount of syrup or omit the orange blossom water.