Easy Baklava

A simple and easy baklava recipe. Phyllo dough is layered with a cinnamon-nut filling, then topped with a honey syrup. Serve slices in cupcake papers.

• Preparation Time: 30 mins
• Cooking Time: 50 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 20 mins
• Calories: 201 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup butter, melted
• ½ cup honey
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
• 1 (16 ounce) package phyllo dough
• 1 pound chopped nuts

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Butter a 9x13-inch baking dish.

Step 2

Toss together nuts and cinnamon. Unroll phyllo and cut the whole stack in half to fit the dish. Cover phyllo with a damp cloth while assembling the baklava, to keep it from drying out.

Step 3

Place 2 sheets of phyllo in the bottom of the prepared dish. Brush generously with some of the melted butter. Sprinkle 2 to 3 tablespoons of the nut mixture on top. Repeat layers until all ingredients are used, ending with about 6 sheets of phyllo.

Step 4

Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown and crisp, about 50 minutes.

Step 5

While baklava is baking, combine sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium heat and bring to a boil. Stir in honey, vanilla, and lemon zest; reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes.

Step 6

Using a sharp knife, cut baklava into 4 long rows, then diagonally 9 times to make 36 diamond shapes. Be sure to cut all the way through to the bottom of the layers.

Step 7

Remove baklava from the oven and immediately spoon syrup over it. Let cool completely before cutting into 24 squares and serving. Store uncovered.