Christmas Baklava with Walnuts is a delightful variation of the traditional Mediterranean dessert, perfect for the holiday season. This version of baklava infuses the classic layers of phyllo pastry with a festive blend of spices and a rich walnut filling, creating a sweet and nutty treat that’s ideal for Christmas celebrations. It’s a wonderful way to bring a touch of international flair to your holiday dessert table.
A Sweet and Spicy Holiday Treat
Baklava is renowned for its flaky layers of pastry, sweet syrup, and nutty filling. This Christmas version elevates the traditional recipe with the addition of holiday spices like cinnamon and cloves, which complement the walnuts beautifully. The result is a dessert that’s not only visually stunning but also bursting with holiday flavors.
Ingredients:
For the Baklava:
- 1 package phyllo dough, thawed
- 4 cups walnuts, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
For the Syrup:
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1 cinnamon stick
- A few whole cloves
- 1 strip orange peel
Instructions:
Preparing the Baklava:
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Mix the Filling: In a bowl, combine the chopped walnuts, ground cinnamon, and ground cloves.
- Prepare the Phyllo: Unroll the phyllo dough and cut it to fit your baking dish. Cover the sheets with a damp cloth to keep them from drying out.
- Assemble the Baklava: Brush the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish with melted butter. Place a sheet of phyllo in the dish and brush it with butter. Repeat this process, layering 8 sheets of phyllo.
- Add Walnut Mixture: Sprinkle a thin layer of the walnut mixture over the phyllo. Add another 5 layers of phyllo, buttering each sheet. Continue this process until all the walnut mixture is used, finishing with a top layer of 8 phyllo sheets.
Baking:
- Cut into Pieces: Before baking, cut the baklava into diamonds or squares using a sharp knife.
- Bake: Bake for about 50 minutes, or until the baklava is golden and crisp.
Making the Syrup:
- Combine Syrup Ingredients: While the baklava is baking, make the syrup. In a saucepan, combine water, sugar, honey, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and orange peel. Bring to a boil, then simmer for about 10 minutes. Remove the cinnamon stick, cloves, and orange peel.
- Pour over Baklava: As soon as the baklava comes out of the oven, pour the hot syrup over the hot baklava. Let it cool completely.
Serving:
- Serve: Once cooled, serve the Christmas Baklava with Walnuts. Enjoy the festive flavors and flaky texture of this unique holiday treat.
Indulge in a culinary adventure with My Mother Kitchen’s diverse and delightful recipes. Start with the Empire’s Classic Honeyed Phyllo Pastry Baklava, a dish that takes you back to the Ottoman Empire with its layers of buttered phyllo sheets, rich nut mixture, and sweet honey syrup. For a festive treat, the Christmas Eggnog Bread infuses the rich flavors of eggnog into a delightful bread, perfect for holiday gatherings.
If you’re looking for something lighter, the Fresh Strawberry Spinach Salad with a Zesty Balsamic Dressing offers a refreshing mix of strawberries, spinach, feta cheese, and walnuts, all brought together with a tangy balsamic dressing. For a sweet twist on a classic, try the Cinnabon Cinnamon Roll Cake, which combines the warm taste of cinnamon with a soft cake, topped with cream cheese frosting.
Lastly, the Golden Banana Loaf with a Cinnamon Kiss is a comforting treat, blending ripe bananas with a hint of vanilla and cinnamon for a moist and fragrant bread. Each of these recipes from My Mother Kitchen brings a unique flavor and experience, perfect for any occasion.
Conclusion
Christmas Baklava with Walnuts is a festive and flavorful dessert that’s sure to impress your guests. The combination of spices, walnuts, and sweet syrup, layered with flaky phyllo pastry, makes for an unforgettable holiday treat. This dish is not only a delight to eat but also a joy to present, adding a touch of elegance and tradition to your Christmas festivities.