Tell Kadahif (Armenian)

Syrup
4 cups granulated sugar
3 cups water
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

2 pounds Kataifi*
1 1/2 cups chopped walnuts
1 tablespoon cinnamon
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
3/4 pound butter, melted

Boil water and sugar 10 minutes. Add 1 teaspoon lemon juice and cool.

Loosen the shreds of kataifi, removing coarse particles. Spread half of the dough in a buttered 10 x 14-inch pan.

Mix nuts, cinnamon and sugar and spread over the kataifi. Top with remaining kadayif. Pour hot melted butter evenly over dough. Bake at 350 degrees F for 1 hour (or until golden brown). Pour 6 cups of the cooled syrup over the hot kadayif with a soup ladle, reserving 1 cup syrup for later. Cover kadayif and let it moisten in its own steam for 1/2 hour. Cut into squares and serve.

May be served with whipped cream. Sprinkle with saved syrup.

* Ktaifi dough can be found in the freezer section of specialty markets. It comes in a 1-pound box marked kataifi, shredded pastry dough.