Layered Walnut and Almond Baklava with Honey-Cinnamon Syrup
A traditional Greek dessert featuring thin phyllo layers filled with chopped walnuts and almonds, baked to golden crispness and soaked in a fragrant honey-cinnamon syrup. This mediterranean-inspired greek ready in about 80 minutes pairs sheets phyllo dough sheets, unsalted butter, melted, walnuts, finely chopped for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 12, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. 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
- 16 sheets phyllo dough sheets
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup walnuts, finely chopped
- 1 cup almonds, finely chopped
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
- 1 cup honey
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a bowl, combine 1 cup chopped walnuts, 1 cup chopped almonds, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, and 1/4 tsp ground cloves; mix well.
- Step 2: Brush a 9x13-inch baking pan with 1/4 cup melted unsalted butter. Layer 8 sheets of phyllo dough into the pan, brushing each sheet lightly with melted butter (about 1/2 cup total).
- Step 3: Evenly spread the nut mixture over the layered phyllo. Cover with the remaining 8 phyllo sheets, brushing each with the remaining 1/4 cup melted butter.
- Step 4: Using a sharp knife, cut the assembled baklava into diamond shapes or squares.
- Step 5: Bake for 45-50 minutes until the top is golden brown and crisp.
- Step 6: Meanwhile, in a saucepan, combine 1 cup honey, 1/2 cup water, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, and 1 tbsp lemon juice. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Step 7: Remove baklava from the oven and immediately pour the hot honey syrup evenly over it. Let cool completely to allow the syrup to soak in before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Layered Walnut and Almond Baklava with Honey-Cinnamon Syrup take to make?
Total time is about 80 minutes (30 min prep + 50 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Layered Walnut and Almond Baklava with Honey-Cinnamon Syrup?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep sheets phyllo dough sheets from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Layered Walnut and Almond Baklava with Honey-Cinnamon Syrup?
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 Layered Walnut and Almond Baklava with Honey-Cinnamon Syrup for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 12 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 12). 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 Layered Walnut and Almond Baklava with Honey-Cinnamon Syrup?
Mediterranean greek 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Loved it! The combination of walnuts and almonds with the honey-cinnamon syrup was perfect.
- ★★★★★
Made this for my family gathering, and they were all raving about the baklava!
- ★★★★★
The layers of phyllo were perfect, and the honey-cinnamon syrup was divine!
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