Christmas Baklava with Walnuts Recipe
Here’s a festive twist on the classic baklava, perfect for Christmas with a hint of holiday spices and flavors.
Ingredients:
For the baklava:
- 1 package of phyllo dough (16 oz), thawed
- 2 cups walnuts, finely chopped
- 1 cup almonds or pistachios, finely chopped
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
For the syrup:
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup honey
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 strip of orange peel
- 1 strip of lemon peel
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Preheat Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Prepare the Nut Mixture:
- In a large bowl, combine the chopped walnuts, almonds (or pistachios), ground cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, and allspice.
- Layer the Phyllo Dough:
- Brush a 9×13 inch baking dish with melted butter.
- Unroll the phyllo dough and cut to fit the dish if necessary. Cover with a damp cloth to prevent drying.
- Place a sheet of phyllo in the dish and brush with melted butter. Repeat this step with about 8 sheets of phyllo, buttering each one.
- Add the Nut Mixture:
- Spread a thin layer of the nut mixture (about 2-3 tablespoons) over the phyllo layers.
- Continue layering phyllo sheets and nuts, buttering each sheet and ending with about 8 layers of phyllo dough on top.
- Cut the Baklava:
- Using a sharp knife, cut the baklava into diamond or square shapes.
- Bake:
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 45-50 minutes, until golden brown and crisp.
- Prepare the Syrup:
- While the baklava is baking, combine the water, sugar, honey, cinnamon stick, orange peel, and lemon peel in a saucepan.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 10 minutes.
- Remove from heat, discard the cinnamon stick and citrus peels, and stir in the vanilla extract.
- Pour the Syrup:
- Once the baklava is baked, remove from the oven and immediately pour the hot syrup over the baklava.
- Allow the baklava to cool completely, uncovered, for several hours or overnight to absorb the syrup.
- Serve:
- Once the baklava is fully soaked and set, serve it up and enjoy your festive treat!
Tips:
- Keep the phyllo dough covered with a damp cloth while working to prevent it from drying out.
- For a more festive flavor, you can add a tablespoon of rose water or orange blossom water to the syrup.
- Store any leftover baklava in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
Enjoy your delicious Christmas Baklava with walnuts, and happy holidays!
