Christmas Baklava

RECIPE :

Christmas Baklava is a delightful way to add a touch of the Mediterranean to your holiday celebrations. The layers of crispy phyllo dough, fragrant cinnamon, and sweet honey make it a memorable dessert that captures the warmth and joy of the season.

Christmas Baklava

“Christmas Baklava is a delightful way to add a touch of the Mediterranean to your holiday celebrations.”

INGREDIENTS:

• 1/2 pound chopped pecans
• 1/2 pound chopped walnuts
• 2-3 tbsp. ground cinnamon
• 1 pound package of Phyllo dough
• 1-1/2 cups butter, melted
• 2-1/2 cups honey
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 tsp. grated lemon zest
• Mix nuts together in a large bowl and toss with the ground cinnamon. Set aside.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Butter a 9×13 inch baking dish.
2. Place 2 sheets of phyllo in the bottom of the prepared dish. Brush generously with melted butter.
3. Sprinkle 2-3 tablespoons of the nut mixture on top of the phyllo.
4. Repeat the layers until all the nuts, butter, and phyllo are used. End with about 6 layers of phyllo on the top. Brush any remaining butter over the top layer.
5. Use a very sharp knife to cut through all the layers of the baklava. First, cut 3-4 slices lengthwise. Then make diagonal cuts to create diamond shapes.
6. Bake in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for about 45 minutes or until the baklava is golden and crisp.
7. While the baklava is baking, heat honey in a saucepan until it’s close to boiling. Stir in vanilla extract and lemon zest.
8. When the baklava is done baking, immediately pour the honey mixture over the top.
9. Let the baklava cool completely in the pan.