All of the sweetness and crunch of the classic recipe made simple in this lazy baklava.
This recipe is almost three years old, but it is one that I should have created years earlier. It’s simple, nicely sweet, and full of texture. When you are craving baklava but don’t have access to the real dessert, this makes a fine substitute.
Mmmm. . .baklava
I don’t remember the first time that I tried baklava. I think it may have been late in my teen years. What I do know is that I have adored it ever since. It’s sweet and crunchy with those lovely, crisp layers of phyllo that almost melt in your mouth. Yet, I have never tried making baklava.
It’s not that I’m hesitant to work with phyllo. I have made a number of recipes that use that ingredient. I have carefully covered the stack of phyllo with a wet towel while methodically brushing each individual layer with melted butter. It does require time and focus, but I don’t mind that. I guess I just always figured that I knew other people who made it well, so I would enjoy theirs.
A Covid creation
Move forward to 2020, and this whole different world we are experiencing. Although my husband and I don’t stay home constantly, we also aren’t going to restaurants, except for takeout. With more time at home, both of us have been cooking more than usual, even on weekend when we normally would have gone to a restaurant.
So, I have been trying all sorts of new savory creations with an occasional sweet treat added to the mix. Looking for a simple dessert on a Friday night, my mind turned to baklava. If I could make a replica without all the work, as I would be serving it only to the two of us, would it be good?
You have to try this!
Thanks to the phyllo cups in the freezer section of my grocery store, I can proclaim that this lazy baklava recipe is pretty darn amazing and hard to resist. I may or may not have eaten six of them without blinking. Yikes!
As someone who hasn’t made real baklava and hasn’t had a slice in quite some time, I’m sure these aren’t a 100% replacement. However, for a quick bit of sweet satisfaction, I think they’re spot on.
Try them, and let me know.
Lazy Baklava
Ingredients
- 1-1/2 cups nuts*
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons, plus 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons butter melted
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/3 cup water
- 1/4 cup honey
- 30 shells
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350°.
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Arrange the nuts on a baking sheet and toast in the oven until golden and fragrant, about 8 minutes.
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Let nuts cool slightly, then add to a food processor along with the lemon juice, 2 tablespoons of sugar, butter, and cinnamon, and pulse to combine.
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Arrange 30 phyllo shells on a rimmed baking sheet and divide nut mixture between the cups (about 2 teaspoons per cup).
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Pat the filling down with your fingers.
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Bake for 10 minutes at 350˚F.
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Meanwhile, in a small saucepan over medium heat add the water, 1/4 cup sugar and honey and bring to a boil.
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Reduce heat to a simmer and cook until reduced and slightly thickened, about 5 minutes.
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Remove syrup from heat.
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When the cups are done baking, remove from the oven.
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Pour 1 teaspoon syrup into each cup and allow it to soak in, then repeat with another teaspoon, until all syrup is used.
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Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
Notes
