Home Cook Together. Celebrate Life.

PakistaniAuthentic Cuisine

Pakistani Cheese Pastry

Serves 4 to 6 Pastry vegetarian, Breads & Pastry

Pakistani Cheese Pastry

Pakistani Cheese Pastry is a cherished addition to family gatherings across Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, and Islamabad. In homes where food is a cornerstone of hospitality, this pastry represents the essence of Pakistani comfort food. The recipe is passed down through generations, reflecting the warmth and generosity of its creators. A home-cooked favorite, this pastry forms a bridge between everyday meals and special occasions, making its way to the table with a sense of familiarity and affection.

When you take a bite, expect a buttery, flaky crust that gives way to a savory cheese filling, creating a harmonious balance of textures and flavors. The cheese offers a rich, creamy counterpoint to the pastry's crispness, inviting you to savor each mouthful. Salt is added by instinct, rather than measure, ensuring the taste is as personal as it is traditional, capturing the spirit of sharing that defines Pakistani dining.

Ingredients

  • 300 gflour
  • 200 gcheese
  • 100 gbutter
  • 1egg

Method

  1. Begin by taking 100 g of butter out of the refrigerator and allowing it to soften at room temperature. This will make it easier to incorporate into the dough later. At the same time, crack 1 egg into a small bowl and let it sit out to come to room temperature, which helps in achieving a smooth dough texture.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine 300 g of flour with the softened butter. Use your fingertips to rub the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs. This step ensures that the butter is evenly distributed, resulting in a flaky pastry.
  3. Grate 200 g of cheese and set it aside. The cheese will be used as a filling, so ensure it is finely grated to melt evenly and create a cohesive filling.
  4. Add the room temperature egg to the flour and butter mixture. Mix gently with your hands until a dough forms. The dough should be soft but not sticky; if it feels too dry, add a teaspoon of water at a time until the right consistency is achieved.
  5. Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface to a thickness of about 1/4 inch. Cut the dough into rectangles or squares, depending on your preference. This shape will help in evenly distributing the cheese filling.
  6. Place a generous amount of grated cheese onto one half of each dough piece. Fold the other half over the cheese, pressing the edges together to seal. Use a fork to crimp the edges, ensuring the cheese does not escape during baking.
  7. Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Arrange the pastries on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving space between each piece. Bake in the preheated oven until the pastries are golden brown and the cheese is bubbling, which should take about 15-20 minutes. The pastries are done when they have a firm, flaky texture and the cheese is fully melted.
  8. Remove the pastries from the oven and allow them to cool slightly on a wire rack. Serve warm, allowing the cheese to remain gooey, which is the ideal texture for enjoying these pastries.
Cover of Authentic Pakistani Cuisine
From the cookbook

Authentic Pakistani Cuisine

This recipe is from Authentic Pakistani Cuisine by Yassine Sbiti — the Pakistani volume in the ComidaTime International Cuisines series.

Available soon on Amazon…

Explore Pakistani cuisine