Easy Baklava Recipe

Ingredients:

1 pound chopped nuts

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 (16 ounce) package phyllo dough

1 cup butter, melted

1 cup white sugar

1 cup water

½ cup honey

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon grated lemon zest


Preparation:

Step 1 Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Butter a 9x13 inch baking dish.

Step 2 Toss together cinnamon and nuts. Unroll phyllo and cut 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 two sheets of phyllo in the bottom of the prepared dish. Brush generously with 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. Using a sharp knife, cut baklava (all the way through to the bottom of the dish) into four long rows, then (nine times) diagonally to make 36 diamond shapes.

Step 4 Bake in 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 or orange zest; reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes.

Step 6 Remove the baklava from the oven and immediately spoon the syrup over it. Let cool completely before serving. Store uncovered.