Christmas Baklava

Christmas Baklava

Ingredients:

• 1 package phyllo pastry sheets (16 oz), thawed
• 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, melted
• 3 cups mixed nuts (walnuts, pistachios, almonds), finely chopped
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 cup honey
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Optional: Whole cloves or extra nuts for decoration

Directions:

1. Prepare the Filling:
   • In a bowl, combine the finely chopped mixed nuts with granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, and ground cloves. Mix well and set aside.
2. Prepare the Syrup:
   • In a saucepan, combine the honey, water, and lemon juice. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let it cool.
3. Prepare the Phyllo Sheets:
   • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a baking pan (9×13 inches) with melted butter.
   • Lay one phyllo sheet in the prepared pan and brush it with melted butter. Repeat this process, layering 8-10 sheets of phyllo, brushing each layer with melted butter.
4. Add the Nut Filling:
   • Sprinkle a generous amount of the nut mixture (about 3-4 tablespoons) evenly over the buttered phyllo layers.
5. Layer and Cut:
   • Repeat the layering process with phyllo sheets and butter, adding a layer of nuts every 3-4 layers of phyllo until all the nuts are used. Finish with a final layer of buttered phyllo sheets.
6. Cut and Bake:
   • Using a sharp knife, cut the baklava into diamond or square shapes.
   • Optional: Place a whole clove or a nut piece on top of each piece for decoration.
   • Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.
7. Pour the Syrup:
   • Once the baklava is out of the oven, immediately pour the cooled syrup over the hot baklava, ensuring it covers evenly.
8. Cool and Serve:
   • Allow the baklava to cool completely in the pan to absorb the syrup before serving.

Yield:

This recipe makes approximately 24 servings (pieces of baklava).

Nutritional Information (per serving):

• Calories: 300
• Total Fat: 18g
  • Saturated Fat: 6g
• Cholesterol: 20mg
• Sodium: 90mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 32g
  • Dietary Fiber: 2g
  • Sugars: 18g
• Protein: 5g

Enjoy this delightful Christmas Baklava, a sweet and nutty dessert perfect for festive celebrations!