Description
A festive twist on the classic baklava, this Christmas Baklava is rich, nutty, spiced with holiday flavors, and soaked in a warm cinnamon-orange syrup.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 package phyllo dough (16 oz), thawed
- 2 cups mixed nuts (walnuts, pistachios, almonds), finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 strip orange peel
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, mix chopped nuts with cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.
- Brush a 9×13 inch baking dish with melted butter.
- Layer 8 sheets of phyllo dough, brushing each with butter.
- Sprinkle a layer of nut mixture.
- Repeat layers until all nuts are used, finishing with 8 more phyllo sheets on top, each brushed with butter.
- Cut baklava into diamond or square shapes before baking.
- Bake for 45–50 minutes, or until golden and crisp.
- Meanwhile, make syrup: In a saucepan, combine sugar, water, honey, cinnamon stick, orange peel, and bring to a boil. Simmer for 10 minutes, then stir in vanilla and let cool slightly.
- Once baklava is out of the oven, immediately pour syrup evenly over the hot pastry.
- Let soak for several hours or overnight before serving.
Notes
Store at room temperature for up to 5 days. Perfect for gifting or serving at holiday gatherings.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 30mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 21g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: christmas baklava, holiday dessert, nutty pastry, festive baklava, cinnamon syrup