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Palestinian Mtabbak Dessert with Cheese
Total time85 min
Prep35 min
Cook50 min
Yield8 servings
DifficultyMedium
ReviewsNo ratings yet
Desserts

ChefClaudette Katnashu

Palestinian Mtabbak Dessert with Cheese

Anyone who loves baklava and syrup-soaked sweets will love this Palestinian dessert. Mtabbak made with an easy recipe and pure Jerusalem hands. Try it, and enjoy in advance.

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8 servings

Ingredients

Start here, then move straight into the method.

  • 1 package ready-made baklava pastry sheets
  • Unsalted cheese suitable for knafeh/qatayef
  • Ghee
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • Sugar syrup (qater)
  • Pistachios for garnish

Method

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  1. Brush a large ovenproof baking tray with a little ghee.
  2. Place the first sheet of ready-made thin dough and brush it with ghee, then place a second sheet and brush it with ghee as well — continue like this until half of the dough is used.
  3. Place the sweet cheese over the layers of dough and sprinkle it with sugar.
  4. Return to placing the remaining layers of dough in the same way, stacking them one by one and brushing each layer with ghee.
  5. Put the tray into the preheated oven at 180°C (top and bottom heat) until golden brown.
  6. Remove the tray from the oven and pour the syrup over it immediately. Garnish with pistachios as desired.

Recipe tags

DessertsInternationalVegetarianGluten freeEgg freeMediumLong cook

Chef

Claudette Katnashu

Claudette—known as Umm Maurice in the “What Are We Cooking Today” group—is from Jerusalem and a mother of six. Her table is always piled with delicious dishes, and she never hesitates to share her beloved, signature recipes with everyone.

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