Knefeh bil Jibneh
Lebanese Cheese Semolina Dessert
A beloved Lebanese dessert featuring a golden, toasted semolina crust encasing a layer of warm, stretchy Akkawi cheese, all drenched in a sweet sugar syrup and garnished with crunchy pistachios. This dish is a delightful balance of textures and flavors, perfect for ending a meal.
🧂 Ingredients
- 300 g Fine Semolina(Ensure it's fine semolina for the best texture.)
- 200 g Unsalted Butter(Melted, plus extra for greasing the pan.)
- 400 g Akkawi Cheese(Must be desalted. Soak in cold water for at least 2-3 hours, changing the water several times, or boil briefly and drain to remove excess salt. Pat dry thoroughly before use.)
- 300 ml Sugar Syrup (Attar)(Homemade or store-bought. Should be at room temperature or slightly warm.)
- 50 g Pistachios(Shelled, roughly chopped, for garnish. Can be lightly toasted for extra flavor.)
- 1 tablespoon Orange Blossom Water or Rose Water (optional)(To flavor the sugar syrup, if desired.)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the semolina mixture: In a large bowl, combine the fine semolina with the melted butter. Stir well to ensure every grain of semolina is coated. Let it sit for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the semolina to absorb the butter.
⏱️ 15 minutes - 2
Prepare the cheese: If you haven't already, ensure your Akkawi cheese is thoroughly desalted and patted dry. Cut or tear it into small, manageable pieces. If the cheese is very firm, you can gently pound it with a rolling pin to make it more pliable and easier to spread.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 3
Assemble the knefeh: Grease a round baking pan (approximately 25-30 cm or 10-12 inches in diameter) generously with butter. Press half of the buttered semolina mixture evenly into the bottom of the pan, ensuring a compact and uniform layer. This will form the base crust.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 4
Layer the cheese: Distribute the prepared Akkawi cheese evenly over the semolina base. Make sure to cover the entire surface without leaving large gaps. The cheese should form a distinct layer.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 5
Top with semolina: Evenly spread the remaining buttered semolina mixture over the cheese layer. Gently press down to compact it, creating the top crust.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 6
Bake the knefeh: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Place the assembled knefeh in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the edges are bubbling. You should see the cheese starting to melt and become gooey.
⏱️ 25-30 minutes - 7
Invert and syrup: Once baked, carefully remove the knefeh from the oven. Let it rest for 5 minutes. Place a serving platter over the pan and swiftly invert the knefeh onto the platter. If using, gently warm the sugar syrup and stir in the orange blossom or rose water. Pour the syrup evenly over the hot knefeh, listening for a satisfying sizzle.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 8
Garnish and serve: Sprinkle the chopped pistachios generously over the syrup-drenched knefeh. Allow it to sit for a minute or two for the syrup to absorb. Serve immediately while hot and the cheese is wonderfully stretchy.
⏱️ 2 minutes
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓The key to great Knefeh is the stretchy, melty cheese. Ensure your Akkawi cheese is properly desalted and of good quality.
- ✓Serve immediately after preparation for the best texture and flavor, especially the hot, gooey cheese.
- ✓Knefeh is a specialty dessert from the Levant region, particularly popular in Tripoli, Lebanon.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Knefeh bel Ashta: Incorporate a layer of clotted cream (ashta) between the cheese and the top semolina layer for an extra rich dessert.
- Knefeh bel Kadaif: Replace the semolina with finely crushed vermicelli noodles (kadaif) for a different textural experience.