Today I’m sharing something extra special – my Christmas Baklava recipe that combines traditional Mediterranean flavors with holiday warmth! This isn’t your typical baklava – I’ve added festive spices and a touch of orange that makes it perfectly Christmas-worthy!
Let me tell you how this recipe came to be. Last Christmas, I was looking for something unique to bring to our neighborhood cookie exchange. After spending a semester abroad in Greece during college, I’d fallen in love with baklava. So I thought, “Why not give it a holiday twist?” After experimenting with different spice combinations (and many taste tests from my very willing family!), this Christmas version was born. The moment my Greek neighbor tasted it and declared it “absolutely perfect,” I knew I had a winner!
Every time I make this, the aroma of honey, cinnamon, and orange fills my kitchen like a warm holiday hug. The phyllo layers crisp up into golden perfection, while the nutty filling, kissed with Christmas spices, creates pure magic in every bite!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
Makes an impressive holiday gift
Can prepare ahead of time
Freezes beautifully
Perfect blend of traditional and festive flavors
Makes you look like a pastry chef!
I’m scared of working with phyllo dough. Help!
Don’t be intimidated, bestie! The key is keeping it covered with a slightly damp kitchen towel while you work. The sheets might tear a bit, but don’t worry – once it’s layered and baked, nobody will notice! Think of it like wrapping delicate presents – they don’t need to be perfect to be beautiful.
Do I really need to let it sit overnight?
YES! The resting time allows the honey syrup to perfectly distribute through all those flaky layers. It’s like letting flavors mingle at a party – they need time to get to know each other! Plus, this makes it the perfect make-ahead dessert.
Can I freeze baklava?
Absolutely! Baklava freezes like a dream for up to 3 months. Just layer between wax paper in an airtight container. Let it thaw overnight in the fridge when ready to serve.
Prep Time: 45 minutes
Bake Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
Serves: 24 pieces
Ingredients:
For The Filling:
- 4 cups mixed nuts (walnuts, pistachios, almonds)
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- Zest of 1 orange
For The Layers:
- 1 pound phyllo dough, thawed
- 1½ cups unsalted butter, melted
- Whole cloves for decoration
For The Syrup:
- 1½ cups honey
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 3 whole cloves
- 1 orange peel strip
Instructions:
- Heat oven to 350°F. Brush a 9×13 baking pan with melted butter. Process nuts until finely chopped. Mix with sugar, spices, and orange zest.
- Lay first phyllo sheet in pan, brush with butter. Repeat with 7 more sheets, always brushing with butter. Spread ⅓ of nut mixture evenly. Layer 4 phyllo sheets with butter between. Add another ⅓ of nuts. Repeat layers, ending with 8 buttered phyllo sheets on top.
- Cut diamond shapes with sharp knife. Place whole clove in center of each piece. Brush top with remaining butter.
- Bake 45-50 minutes until golden brown and crisp.
- While baking, combine syrup ingredients in saucepan. Bring to boil, simmer 5 minutes. Remove spices and orange peel.
- Pour hot syrup over hot baklava. Let cool completely, then cover and rest overnight.
Pro Tips For Success:
- Keep phyllo covered while working
- Use gentle brush strokes to avoid tearing
- Cut all the way through before baking
- Pour hot syrup over hot baklava
- Let rest 24 hours for best texture
- Store at room temperature, not refrigerated
Storage & Serving Suggestions:
Store at room temperature, covered, for up to 2 weeks. For gifting, place in paper-lined tins or boxes. Serve at room temperature with coffee or tea.
