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❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Festive flavor: Cinnamon, cloves, and a hint of nutmeg make it perfect for Christmas.
- Crunchy and sweet: Layers of flaky phyllo, buttery nuts, and syrup create a magical texture.
- Make-ahead dessert: Can be prepared in advance and stored for days — perfect for holiday hosting.
- Impressive yet manageable: Looks elaborate but is surprisingly simple to assemble.
🧂 Ingredients
For the Baklava:
- 1 package phyllo dough (16 oz), thawed
- 2 cups mixed nuts (walnuts, pistachios, almonds), finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
- ½ cup granulated sugar
For the Syrup:
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Optional: zest of 1 orange or lemon for a festive aroma
🔪 Instructions
- Preheat the oven:
Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. - Prepare the nut filling:
In a medium bowl, combine the chopped nuts, cinnamon, cloves, and sugar. Mix well. - Layer the phyllo:
Carefully unroll the phyllo dough. Cover with a damp towel to prevent drying.
Place one sheet in the baking dish and brush lightly with melted butter. Repeat with 7–8 sheets. - Add nuts:
Spread a thin layer of the nut mixture evenly over the buttered phyllo. - Continue layering:
Add 4–5 more sheets of phyllo, brushing each with butter, then another layer of nuts. Repeat until all nuts are used, finishing with 7–8 sheets of phyllo on top, each brushed with butter. - Cut before baking:
Using a sharp knife, cut the baklava into diamonds or squares. - Bake:
Bake for 45–50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and crisp. - Prepare the syrup:
While baklava bakes, combine water, sugar, honey, cinnamon, and orange or lemon zest in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract. - Pour syrup over baklava:
Once baklava is out of the oven, immediately pour the warm syrup evenly over the hot pastry. Let it soak for at least 4 hours (or overnight) to absorb all the sweetness.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
- Serve at room temperature for the perfect holiday dessert.
- Pair with a cup of strong coffee or spiced tea for a cozy treat.
- Gift slices in decorative tins or boxes for a festive homemade present.
💡 Tips for Perfect Baklava
- Phyllo prep: Keep phyllo covered with a damp towel to prevent it from drying out.
- Nut variety: Experiment with walnuts, pistachios, almonds, or pecans for different flavors.
- Syrup timing: Pour syrup while baklava is hot to allow it to soak properly.
- Cutting: Use a sharp knife to ensure clean, even pieces.
🌟 Holiday Variations
- Chocolate Christmas Baklava: Drizzle melted chocolate over cooled baklava for an extra indulgence.
- Spiced Orange Baklava: Add orange zest and a pinch of nutmeg to the syrup for a festive twist.
- Mini Baklava Bites: Use a muffin tin to make individual portions — perfect for parties or gift-giving.
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