1. Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Pan

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Grease a 9×9-inch baking pan with butter or line it with parchment paper.

2. Prepare the Kunafa Base

• In a bowl, toss the shredded kunafa dough with melted butter and powdered sugar until evenly coated.
• Press the mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking pan, forming an even layer.
• Bake the kunafa base for 8-10 minutes until lightly golden. Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly.

3. Make the Brownie Batter

• In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter and chocolate together in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until smooth.
• Whisk in the sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, and cardamom (if using).
• In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder.
• Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until just combined.

4. Assemble and Bake

• Pour the brownie batter over the pre-baked kunafa layer, spreading it evenly.
• Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the brownies are set but still slightly fudgy in the center.
• Remove from the oven and let cool for at least 15 minutes before adding the topping.

5. Add the Pistachio Topping

• Sprinkle crushed pistachios evenly over the brownies.
• Drizzle with honey or a light sugar syrup for added sweetness and shine.

6. Serve and Enjoy

• Slice into squares and serve warm or at room temperature.
• Pair with vanilla ice cream or a cup of Arabic coffee for a perfect treat.