Dive into the luxurious flavors of Creamy Milk Custard Kadayif, a traditional Turkish dessert that combines crispy kadayif pastry with a rich, creamy milk custard and a sweet, milky syrup. This dessert is perfect for special occasions, bringing a touch of elegance and indulgence to your table.
Why You'll Love This: This dessert offers a delightful contrast of textures with the crispiness of kadayif pastry, the smoothness of the milk custard, and the sweetness of the syrup. The combination of nuts adds a rich, nutty flavor that perfectly complements the creamy filling. It's a crowd-pleaser that's sure to impress your guests with its sophisticated taste and presentation.
Perfect Occasion: Ideal for festive gatherings, holiday celebrations, or as a special dessert for family dinners. Its rich flavors and impressive appearance make it a perfect choice for special occasions where you want to offer something memorable and delicious.
Decoration Tips: For an elegant presentation, top the dessert with a dollop of kaymak (clotted cream) or whipped cream. Sprinkle with finely chopped pistachios or almonds for added texture and visual appeal. Serving it slightly warm enhances the flavors and makes it even more indulgent.
Ingredients for the Kadayif:
- 600g fresh kadayif pastry
- 250g butter, melted
- Chopped pistachios, hazelnuts, or walnuts for filling
Ingredients for the Milk Custard:
- 600ml milk (3 cups)
- 1 cup semolina
- 200ml cream (or equal amount of milk)
Ingredients for the Syrup:
- 5 cups sugar
- 2 cups milk
- 2 cups water
Preparation Steps:
- Prepare the Kadayif:
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (356°F).
- Grease the bottom of a 35x45 cm baking dish generously with melted butter.
- Chop the kadayif pastry into smaller pieces using a food processor or a knife.
- Mix the chopped kadayif with the remaining melted butter until well coated.
- Spread half of the kadayif mixture evenly in the baking dish and press down firmly.
- Make the Milk Custard:
- In a saucepan, combine milk, semolina, and cream. Whisk continuously over medium heat until the mixture thickens.
- Pour the hot custard over the kadayif layer and spread it evenly with a spatula.
- Let it cool slightly, then sprinkle a generous layer of chopped nuts over the custard.
- Spread the remaining kadayif mixture over the nuts and press down firmly.
- Bake the Kadayif:
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and crispy.
- Prepare the Syrup:
- In a saucepan, combine sugar, milk, and water. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Remove from heat and let the syrup cool to lukewarm.
- Combine and Serve:
- Once the kadayif is baked, remove it from the oven and let it cool slightly.
- Pour the lukewarm syrup evenly over the hot kadayif.
- Allow the dessert to soak for at least an hour to absorb the syrup completely.
Enjoy this Creamy Milk Custard Kadayif dessert, a perfect blend of crispy pastry, creamy custard, and sweet syrup, bringing a touch of traditional elegance to your table!