Christmas Baklava is a delightful holiday treat, perfect for adding a sweet and nutty finish to your festive celebrations. This crispy, syrup-soaked dessert, made with layers of delicate phyllo dough and filled with chopped nuts, is as impressive as it is delicious. What makes this recipe truly special is its mix of pistachios and walnuts, combined with aromatic spices, giving it a seasonal twist ideal for Christmas gatherings. The golden layers and rich syrup make it a standout dessert that will wow your guests!
Ingredients:
- 1 package phyllo dough, thawed (16 oz, about 40 sheets)
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
- 1 cup chopped pistachios
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves (optional)
For the Syrup:
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2-3 whole cloves (optional)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
Preparation:
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with some of the melted butter to prevent the baklava from sticking.
Step 2: Prepare the Nut Filling
In a medium-sized bowl, combine the chopped walnuts, chopped pistachios, 1/4 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves (if using). Stir until the mixture is evenly coated with the spices. This nut filling will add a delicious, crunchy texture to the baklava.
Step 3: Layer the Phyllo Dough
Carefully unroll the thawed phyllo dough. Place one sheet of phyllo in the prepared baking dish and brush it generously with melted butter. Repeat this process, layering and buttering each sheet until you have about 8-10 sheets stacked.
Step 4: Add the Nut Filling
After layering the initial phyllo sheets, evenly sprinkle a handful of the nut mixture over the buttered phyllo. Then, add another layer of about 5 phyllo sheets, brushing each with butter. Repeat the process—layering nuts and buttered phyllo—until all the nut filling is used. Make sure to end with 8-10 buttered phyllo sheets on top.
Step 5: Cut the Baklava
Before baking, use a sharp knife to cut the unbaked baklava into diamond or square shapes. Make sure to cut all the way through to the bottom of the pan, which will make it easier to serve later.
Step 6: Bake
Place the baklava in the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the phyllo layers are crisp and golden brown.
Step 7: Make the Syrup
While the baklava is baking, prepare the syrup. In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup of water, 1 cup of sugar, 1/2 cup of honey, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, 1 cinnamon stick, and 2-3 whole cloves. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar is fully dissolved. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract (if using). Let the syrup cool slightly.
Step 8: Add the Syrup to the Baklava
Once the baklava is golden and crispy, remove it from the oven. Immediately pour the warm syrup evenly over the baklava, making sure to cover all the pieces. Let the baklava sit at room temperature for at least 4-6 hours, or overnight, to allow the syrup to fully absorb and soak through all the layers.
Step 9: Serve
Once the baklava has fully absorbed the syrup, it’s ready to serve! Transfer the pieces to a serving platter and garnish with a few extra chopped pistachios if desired. This baklava is rich, sweet, and absolutely irresistible.
Cooking Notes:
- Phyllo Dough Tips: Phyllo dough can dry out quickly, so keep it covered with a damp towel while assembling the baklava to prevent it from cracking.
- Nut Varieties: Feel free to experiment with different types of nuts like almonds, hazelnuts, or pecans to create your own unique flavor profile.
- Syrup Soaking Time: Allowing the baklava to soak in the syrup for several hours (or overnight) is key to getting that perfectly sweet and moist texture.
Serving Suggestions:
Christmas Baklava is best served during holiday gatherings or festive dinners. Here are a few ways to enjoy it:
- With Coffee or Tea: Pair a piece of baklava with a hot cup of coffee or tea for a sweet and satisfying dessert break.
- Holiday Dessert Platter: Include baklava on a holiday dessert platter alongside other treats like cookies, fudge, or fruit tarts.
- Gift It: Baklava makes an excellent homemade gift! Package it in a decorative tin for friends and family to enjoy.
Tips:
- Freezing Baklava: You can freeze baked baklava before adding the syrup. Once thawed, reheat in the oven and pour the syrup over it for a fresh-tasting dessert.
- Make-Ahead: Baklava can be made a day in advance. In fact, it often tastes even better the next day after the syrup has fully soaked in.
- Cut Before Baking: Always cut the baklava into pieces before baking, as trying to cut it after it has been baked can cause the delicate layers to crumble.
Nutritional Information:
- Calories: 340 per serving
- Protein: 4g
- Sodium: 70mg
- Fat: 22g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
Conclusion:
This Christmas Baklava is a show-stopping holiday dessert that brings together layers of flaky phyllo dough, crunchy nuts, and sweet syrup in every bite. It’s the perfect way to end a festive meal or to share with loved ones as part of your holiday celebrations. With a little patience and love, you can recreate this traditional treat that will have everyone coming back for more. Don’t lose this recipe—it’s bound to become a holiday favorite!
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Christmas Baklava Recipe 🎄🍯
- Total Time: 50 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 package phyllo dough, thawed (16 oz, about 40 sheets)
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
- 1 cup chopped pistachios
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves (optional)
For the Syrup:
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2–3 whole cloves (optional)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with some of the melted butter to prevent the baklava from sticking.
Step 2: Prepare the Nut Filling
In a medium-sized bowl, combine the chopped walnuts, chopped pistachios, 1/4 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves (if using). Stir until the mixture is evenly coated with the spices. This nut filling will add a delicious, crunchy texture to the baklava.
Step 3: Layer the Phyllo Dough
Carefully unroll the thawed phyllo dough. Place one sheet of phyllo in the prepared baking dish and brush it generously with melted butter. Repeat this process, layering and buttering each sheet until you have about 8-10 sheets stacked.
Step 4: Add the Nut Filling
After layering the initial phyllo sheets, evenly sprinkle a handful of the nut mixture over the buttered phyllo. Then, add another layer of about 5 phyllo sheets, brushing each with butter. Repeat the process—layering nuts and buttered phyllo—until all the nut filling is used. Make sure to end with 8-10 buttered phyllo sheets on top.
Step 5: Cut the Baklava
Before baking, use a sharp knife to cut the unbaked baklava into diamond or square shapes. Make sure to cut all the way through to the bottom of the pan, which will make it easier to serve later.
Step 6: Bake
Place the baklava in the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the phyllo layers are crisp and golden brown.
Step 7: Make the Syrup
While the baklava is baking, prepare the syrup. In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup of water, 1 cup of sugar, 1/2 cup of honey, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, 1 cinnamon stick, and 2-3 whole cloves. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar is fully dissolved. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract (if using). Let the syrup cool slightly.
Step 8: Add the Syrup to the Baklava
Once the baklava is golden and crispy, remove it from the oven. Immediately pour the warm syrup evenly over the baklava, making sure to cover all the pieces. Let the baklava sit at room temperature for at least 4-6 hours, or overnight, to allow the syrup to fully absorb and soak through all the layers.
Step 9: Serve
Once the baklava has fully absorbed the syrup, it’s ready to serve! Transfer the pieces to a serving platter and garnish with a few extra chopped pistachios if desired. This baklava is rich, sweet, and absolutely irresistible.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: 340
- Sodium: 70mg
- Fat: 22g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g