Kanafa

Ingredients

 * 450 – 500 g of kanafa pastry
 * ½ cup of butter
 * 2 cans of thickened cream (kushtah)
 * 1 cup of chopped nuts
 * 1 tablespoon of ground cardamom

Syrup

 * 1 cup of water
 * 1½ cups of sugar
 * 2 teaspoons lemon juice
 * 1 cinnamon stick
 * 5 whole cloves

Directions

 * 1) Pull the kanafa pastry apart and break into two inch pieces.
 * 2) Spread half of the kanafa in a 9" x 13" pan.
 * 3) Sprinkle on half of the butter.
 * 4) Press into the pan.
 * 5) Spread the two cans of cream over the kanafa.
 * 6) Mix the nuts with the ground cardamom and sprinkle evenly over the cream.
 * 7) Top with the rest of the kanafa pastry.
 * 8) Sprinkle on the remaining butter.
 * 9) Gently press the kanafa into the pan, as much as you are able to.
 * 10) Bake in the oven for about 30 minutes or until lightly browned.
 * 11) Meanwhile, make the syrup.
 * 12) Bring all of the ingredients to boil in a sauce pan, then reduce to a light boil and boil another 5–10 minutes.
 * 13) When you take the kanafa out of the oven, remove the cinnamon and cloves from the syrup.
 * 14) Pour the syrup evenly over the hot kanafa.
 * 15) Leave in the pan for one hour to cool and soak up the syrup.
 * 16) Cut with a sharp knife into squares and serve.