Description
A luscious no-bake dessert blending the creamy richness of ice cream with the crisp, buttery texture of golden kunafa (kataifi) pastry. Layers of sweet creaminess and roasted pistachios make it irresistibly luxurious — perfect for summer gatherings or festive occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
- 200 g kataifi (kunafa) pastry
- 100 g unsalted butter (melted)
- 3 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp orange blossom water (optional)
- 2 cups (480 ml) heavy cream (cold)
- 1 can (395 g) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 cup (250 g) mascarpone cheese or thick cream (qishta/ashta style)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup (70 g) chopped pistachios
- 3 tbsp crushed pistachios (for garnish)
- 1 tbsp honey or sugar syrup (optional, for shine)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 175°C (350°F).
- Shred the kataifi pastry into small pieces using your hands or scissors.
- In a large bowl, mix the shredded pastry with melted butter and sugar until evenly coated.
- Spread on a baking tray and bake for 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden and crisp.
- Let it cool completely, then mix in the orange blossom water (optional).
- In a large chilled bowl, whip the heavy cream until soft peaks form.
- Add sweetened condensed milk, mascarpone, and vanilla extract. Beat until smooth and creamy.
- Fold in the chopped pistachios gently with a spatula.
- In a rectangular dish, spread half of the toasted kunafa crumbs evenly on the bottom.
- Pour the creamy mixture on top and spread smoothly.
- Add the remaining kunafa crumbs on top and sprinkle with crushed pistachios.
- Drizzle lightly with honey or sugar syrup if desired.
- Cover the dish with plastic wrap.
- Freeze for at least 6 hours or overnight until firm.
- Scoop and serve — you’ll get creamy bites with golden, crunchy kunafa and nutty pistachio flavor in every spoonful.
Notes
- Ensure the heavy cream is very cold for better whipping.
- Adjust the sweetness by varying the amount of honey or sugar syrup used for garnish.
- This dessert can be made a day in advance for convenience.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-bake
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg