Knafe – Middle Eastern Sweet Cheese Pastry

Preheat oven to 400 F. Prepare a spring form pan by wrapping the outside of the bottom with foil to avoid spillage into your oven.

Shred the dough in a food processor using the blade attachment. This will take about 45 seconds. Add the lemon zest and whirl around another 5 seconds. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl.

Add the cheese into the bowl of the food processor (fitted with the grater attachment) and whirl for a few seconds to chop it into small pieces. Set the shredded cheese aside.

In a small bowl combine the melted butter with the food coloring. Combine the colored butter with the dough making sure all of the strands are colored completely.

Spread half of the dough into the spring form pan. Spread the cheese on top (2nd layer). Spread remaining dough on top of the cheese (3rd layer).

Bake for 30 to 40 minutes until golden.

Meanwhile make the simple syrup. In a small saucepan combine the sugar and water. Heat on medium heat until the sugar is dissolved. It just needs to heat and dissolve the sugar—it does not need to boil. Remove from heat and add the lemon juice.

When the pastry is done remove it from the oven. Pour the syrup onto the hot dessert while syrup is still hot/warm. Let it soak in for about 10 minutes. Eat!