Ethiopian Coffee-Spiced Honey Baklava Rolls
A fusion dessert featuring flaky phyllo dough wrapped around a nut mixture spiced with Ethiopian coffee and drizzled with honey syrup for a sweet finish. This mediterranean-inspired desserts ready in about 55 minutes layers sheets phyllo dough sheets, unsalted butter, melted, walnuts, finely chopped 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 6, 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
- 8 sheets phyllo dough sheets
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup walnuts, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup almonds, finely chopped
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground cardamom
- 1 tsp instant Ethiopian coffee granules
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/4 cup water
- 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, combine 1 cup finely chopped walnuts, 1/2 cup finely chopped almonds, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground cardamom, and 1 tsp instant Ethiopian coffee granules.
- Step 2: Lay one sheet of phyllo dough on a clean surface and brush lightly with 1 tbsp melted unsalted butter. Layer another sheet on top and brush again. Repeat until 4 sheets are stacked.
- Step 3: Spread half of the nut mixture evenly along the long edge of the phyllo stack. Roll the dough tightly into a log.
- Step 4: Cut the log into 6 equal pieces and place them cut side down on a buttered baking sheet. Repeat steps 2-4 with remaining phyllo sheets, butter, and nut mixture.
- Step 5: Brush the tops of all rolls with remaining melted butter. Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden and crisp.
- Step 6: Meanwhile, combine 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1/3 cup honey, 1/4 cup water, and 1 tbsp lemon juice in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 8 minutes until syrup thickens slightly.
- Step 7: Remove baklava rolls from oven and immediately drizzle evenly with the warm honey-coffee syrup. Let cool before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Ethiopian Coffee-Spiced Honey Baklava Rolls take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (25 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 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 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 Baklava Rolls for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Baklava Rolls?
Mediterranean 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.
