Ingredients

The following ingredients have 9 Servings
  • 1½ cups superfine sugar
  • 7 fl oz water
  • 2 Tbsp lemon juice
  • ¼ tsp rosewater
  • 7 oz butter, melted
  • 12 oz kataifi pastry (shredded phyllo dough, which can be found in Greek or Middle Eastern markets, or online via Amazon)
  • 9 oz mascarpone cheese
  • 9 oz cream cheese
  • 2 large egg yolks
  • ¼ cup superfine sugar
  • 1 cup blanched almonds

Instruction

  • Preheat oven to 350°F / 180°C.
  • In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, place sugar, water and lemon juice. Bring to a boil and then simmer on low heat for approximately 10 minutes or until the liquid has become a syrup. Remove from heat and leave to cool.
  • When the syrup has cooled, add the rosewater and set aside to be used later.
  • Use a little of the butter to grease an 11-inch springform pan.
  • In a large bowl, break apart the kataifi pastry until all the shreds are loose. Mix the rest of the melted butter in, using your hands, so the pastry is well coated.
  • Beat together the mascarpone cheese, cream cheese, egg yolks and sugar until smooth.
  • Sprinkle blanched almonds over the bottom of the pan. Take half of the kataifi dough and place over the almonds, pressing it down.
  • Spread the cheese mixture over the kataifi, using a palette knife so you have an even layer. Take the other half of the kataifi dough and press over the top.
  • Bake for approximately 30 minutes until golden.
  • Remove from the oven and sprinkle ground pistachios on the top. Pour the rosewater syrup evenly over the cake. Leave to cool and remove from pan.