Cheese-filled Bird’s Nests

• Preheat oven to 375°F.
• Place the dough on a stabilized cutting board. Using a serrated knife, cut kadaif dough into 2-inch pieces. Place in a large mixing bowl. With your hands, separate the dough strands, removing any clumps.
• Drizzle the melted butter into the kadaif dough and, with your hands, gently massage the butter to coat the dough.
• Using two 12-cup muffin tins, place some kadaif mixture on the bottom and up the sides of each cup, making sure the bottom has enough dough to support the filling.
• Mix together the cheeses and cinnamon, if using. Place 1 or 2 tablespoons of the cheese mixture in each cup. Sprinkle chopped pistachios on top of the cheese filling, if desired. 
• Top each cup with additional shredded dough. (Note: If you prefer, you may omit the additional shredded dough on top.)
• Bake for about 17 to 20 minutes, or until the dough is lightly golden.
• While the kadaif is baking, prepare the simple syrup.

Simple Syrup Instructions

• Make a simple syrup by bringing the sugar and water to a boil. Add lemon juice. Reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, until sugar is dissolved and liquid reduces by a third, about 10 to 12 minutes. The syrup should coat the back of a spoon.

Serving Instructions

• As soon as the kadaif comes out of the oven, spoon some of the syrup over each while still in the muffin tin. Allow them to sit a few minutes to allow the syrup to soak through. Use a spoon to loosen and remove each kadaif cup from the muffin tin.
• Place nests on individual serving dishes.Serve the remaining syrup to those with a sweet tooth. Best when served warm or hot.