Christmas Baklava with walnuts

Here’s a delightful Christmas Baklava recipe with walnuts. This version incorporates festive flavors, making it perfect for the holiday season.

Christmas Baklava with Walnuts

Ingredients

Syrup

• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup honey
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 3-4 whole cloves
• Zest and juice of 1 lemon
• Zest of 1 orange

Baklava

• 1 package phyllo dough (16 oz), thawed according to package instructions
• 2 cups walnuts, finely chopped
• 1 cup pistachios, finely chopped (optional for added festive flavor)
• 1 cup almonds, finely chopped (optional)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Prepare the Syrup:
   • In a medium saucepan, combine water, sugar, honey, cinnamon stick, cloves, lemon zest, lemon juice, and orange zest.
   • Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer for about 10 minutes.
   • Remove from heat and let cool completely. Discard the cinnamon stick and cloves.
2. Prepare the Nut Filling:
   • In a large bowl, mix together chopped walnuts, pistachios, almonds, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
3. Assemble the Baklava:
   • Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
   • Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with some of the melted butter.
   • Unroll the phyllo dough and cut to fit the baking dish if necessary. Cover with a damp cloth to keep from drying out.
   • Place a sheet of phyllo in the baking dish and brush with melted butter. Repeat this process with 7 more sheets, brushing each with butter.
   • Sprinkle about 3 tablespoons of the nut mixture over the phyllo layers.
   • Continue layering phyllo sheets and nuts, brushing each phyllo sheet with butter, until all the nut mixture is used. Finish with 8 layers of phyllo sheets, brushing each layer with butter.
   • Using a sharp knife, cut the baklava into diamond or square shapes.
4. Bake the Baklava:
   • Bake in the preheated oven for about 45-50 minutes or until golden and crisp.
5. Add the Syrup:
   • Once the baklava is done baking, immediately pour the cooled syrup evenly over the hot baklava.
   • Allow the baklava to cool completely and absorb the syrup for at least 6 hours or overnight.
6. Serve:
   • Garnish with a sprinkle of chopped pistachios if desired. Serve and enjoy!

This Christmas Baklava with walnuts is sure to be a hit at your holiday gatherings. The combination of nuts, spices, and sweet syrup creates a deliciously festive treat.