Ethiopian Coffee-Spiced Honey and Cardamom Baklava Rolls
Flaky pastry rolls infused with Ethiopian coffee, honey, and fragrant cardamom, combining traditional flavors into a delightful dessert treat. This ethiopian-inspired desserts ready in about 50 minutes layers sheets phyllo dough sheets, unsalted butter, melted, chopped walnuts into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 8, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 10 sheets phyllo dough sheets
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground cardamom
- 1 tbsp Ethiopian coffee grounds, finely ground
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. In a bowl, mix 1 cup chopped walnuts, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1 tsp ground cardamom, and 1 tbsp finely ground Ethiopian coffee; set aside.
- Step 2: Lay one sheet of phyllo dough on a clean surface and brush with 2 tbsp melted unsalted butter. Layer another sheet on top, brushing with butter. Repeat until you have 5 layered sheets.
- Step 3: Evenly sprinkle half the nut and spice mixture over the layered phyllo. Starting at one edge, roll the dough tightly into a log. Repeat layering and rolling with remaining phyllo and nut mixture.
- Step 4: Cut each roll into 1.5-inch pieces and place on a greased baking sheet. Brush tops with remaining melted butter.
- Step 5: Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden and crisp.
- Step 6: While baking, combine 1/3 cup honey, 1/4 cup water, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, and 1 tbsp lemon juice in a saucepan. Bring to a boil then simmer for 5 minutes until syrup thickens slightly.
- Step 7: Remove baklava rolls from oven and immediately drizzle the warm honey syrup over them. Allow to cool and absorb syrup before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Ethiopian Coffee-Spiced Honey and Cardamom Baklava Rolls take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (20 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Ethiopian Coffee-Spiced Honey and Cardamom Baklava Rolls?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Ethiopian Coffee-Spiced Honey and Cardamom Baklava Rolls?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Ethiopian Coffee-Spiced Honey and Cardamom Baklava Rolls for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Ethiopian Coffee-Spiced Honey and Cardamom Baklava Rolls?
Ethiopian desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
