Christmas Baklava

Christmas Baklava Recipe

This festive take on the traditional baklava incorporates seasonal flavors like cranberries, orange zest, and warming spices for a holiday twist.

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Ingredients

For the Baklava:

• 1 package (16 oz) phyllo dough, thawed
• 2 cups mixed nuts (walnuts, pistachios, and almonds), finely chopped
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves
• Zest of 1 orange
• 1 cup unsalted butter, melted

For the Syrup:

• 1 cup honey
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 3-4 whole cloves
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

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Instructions

Prepare the Nut Filling:

1. In a bowl, combine the chopped nuts, cranberries, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and orange zest. Mix well.

Assemble the Baklava:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with melted butter.
2. Unroll the phyllo dough and cover it with a damp cloth to prevent it from drying out.
3. Place one sheet of phyllo dough in the dish and brush it with melted butter. Repeat this step to create a base layer of 8 sheets.
4. Spread a thin layer of the nut mixture over the phyllo.
5. Add 4 more sheets of phyllo, brushing each with butter, then another layer of nuts. Repeat this process until all the nut mixture is used.
6. Finish with a top layer of 8-10 sheets of phyllo, buttering each layer.
7. Using a sharp knife, cut the baklava into diamond or square shapes.

Bake the Baklava:

1. Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes or until golden brown and crisp.

Make the Syrup:

1. In a saucepan, combine honey, sugar, water, orange juice, cinnamon stick, and cloves. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
2. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Let the syrup cool slightly.

Add the Syrup:

1. Once the baklava is out of the oven, immediately pour the warm syrup evenly over the hot baklava.
2. Let it sit at room temperature for several hours or overnight to absorb the syrup.

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Garnish and Serve:

• Garnish with additional chopped nuts or a drizzle of melted white chocolate for a festive touch.
• Serve and enjoy this holiday-inspired dessert!