Christmas Baklava with Cinnamon and Cloves

Preparation Preheat the Oven:

• Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures the oven is at the right temperature when your baklava is ready to go in.

Prepare the Baking Pan:

• Take a 9×13 inch baking pan and use a brush to lightly coat the bottom and sides with melted butter. This prevents the baklava from sticking and adds extra flavor.

Preparing the Filling

• Combine Nuts and Spices: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, mix together 2 cups of finely chopped nuts (walnuts, almonds, pistachios), 2 teaspoons of cinnamon, and 1 teaspoon of ground cloves. The combination of these nuts and spices will give your baklava a rich and festive flavor.
• Add Orange Zest: For a hint of citrus, grate the zest of one orange into the nut mixture and stir well.

Assembling the Baklava

Layering the Phyllo and Nut Mixture:

• Start with one sheet of phyllo dough, placing it in the pan. Brush it lightly with melted butter.
• Repeat this process until you have 8 sheets layered.
• Next, evenly spread about 2 tablespoons of the nut mixture over the top layer.
• Place another 4 sheets of phyllo, each brushed with butter, over the nuts.
• Continue this pattern of 4 phyllo sheets and nut mixture until all the nuts are used, finishing with a layer of phyllo (typically 8 sheets on top).

Cutting and Baking

Cut into Diamond Shapes:

• With a sharp knife, carefully cut the baklava into diamond shapes. Make sure to cut through all the layers to the bottom of the pan.

Bake the Baklava:

• Place the prepared baklava in the preheated oven.
• Bake for about 50 minutes, or until the baklava is golden brown and crisp.

Making the Syrup

Combine Syrup Ingredients:

• While the baklava is baking, combine 1 cup of sugar, 1/2 cup of honey, 1/2 cup of water, the zest of one orange, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract in a saucepan.
• Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.

Simmer the Syrup:

• Once the mixture reaches a boil, reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 20 minutes. The syrup will thicken slightly.

Finishing Touches

Pour Syrup Over Baked Baklava:

• As soon as the baklava is out of the oven, evenly pour the hot syrup over the entire surface. Make sure the syrup seeps into the cuts and covers all the pieces.

Cool Before Serving:

• Allow the baklava to cool completely at room temperature. This step is crucial as it lets the syrup soak into the layers, making them perfectly sweet and moist.