The Best Christmas Baklava

Perhaps you’ve tried baklava before and, if so, you’ll know how mouthwatering it is. This Balkan dessert, which is well-loved in Turkey and Greece, as well as across the Middle East, is a wonderful confection of filo pastry layers with honey or sugar and nuts. It’s a very rich choice, which is why it’s typically served in small squares.

You can add your own touches, such as adding cardamom, cloves or cinnamon for extra flavor, using puff pastry rather than filo, or swapping the traditional walnuts for another kind of nut.

If you usually make the same things every year for Christmas, or you’re just looking for something deliciously different to change things up, you might like to try this easy recipe. It’s decadent enough to make a perfect festive treat and if you love sweet food, you’re going to love this.

Enjoy it with your coffee on Christmas morning just before you open your presents, or have it as dessert later on.

Scroll to bottom for printable recipe card.

Why do I love The Best Christmas Baklava?

Baklava is a wonderful recipe from Greece and Turkey, and it’s not difficult to make as long as you do all the prep work ahead and then just assemble it. It’s sticky, sweet and delicious, and perfect for a special occasion such as Christmas.

How to Serve It:

Baklava is very sweet and filling, so a little goes a long way. Serve it in small squares with a coffee, or enjoy some as a snack.

Can You Make It Ahead?

Baklava keeps for a while so feel free to prepare this tasty dessert in advance.

Ingredients:

• Phyllo dough
• Pecans chopped
• Honey
• Walnuts chopped
• Butter melted
• Ground cinnamon
• Vanilla
• Lemon zest

Instructions:

Step 1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees, and line the bottom of a baking dish with a thin layer of butter. 

Step 2. Place a layer of phyllo dough into the bottom of the baking dish.

Then, brush another layer of butter over the dough squares. 

Step 3. In a bowl, mix together the nuts and cinnamon until well combined. 

Step 4. Add a layer of the nut mixture on top of the dough. 

Step 5. Continue to add layers of the dough, and nuts mixture, brushing the layers of dough with butter as you go. 

Step 5. Be sure to finish with a layer of dough on the top, and brush the remaining butter over it. 

Step 7. Use a sharp knife to cut 4 vertical slices across the mixture. 

Step 8. Go back with your knife, and cut diagonal lines to form diamond-shaped pieces. 

Step 9. Bake for 45 minutes. 

Step 10. In a pot over medium heat on the stove, combine the honey, vanilla, and lemon zest. Bring to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes. 

Step 11. Pour the honey mixture over the baked baklava, and cool before serving.

Baklava isn’t typically a Christmas treat but it is so delicious and special it is perfect for Christmas. This honeyed, nutty filo pastry dessert isn’t hard to make and it’s truly delicious. You could even make an extra batch and give some to friends and neighbors as a special, edible Christmas gift.

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Storage Instructions:

Keep leftovers in an airtight container for 1 or 2 weeks, either at room temperature or refrigerated.

Variations and Substitutions:

Add any spices you want to your Christmas baklava recipe. Suggestions include anything from pumpkin pie spice, allspice and cloves to nutmeg and cinnamon. You can also try pistachios or hazelnuts instead of the more common walnuts and pecans.

More Christmas Recipes

Nougat Bars – Just like grandma used to make.

Christmas Sugar Cookies – This recipe can be made year-round.

Christmas Crack Saltine Toffee – Festive and incredibly flavorful!

Crockpot Christmas Candy – This sweet treat is highly addictive.