Cinnamon-Infused Apple Walnut Baklava
Indulge in a delightful twist on a traditional dessert with this Cinnamon-Infused Apple Walnut Baklava. Combining the sweet and tart flavors of freshly chopped apples with crunchy walnuts and plump raisins, each layer of golden phyllo is lovingly brushed with clarified butter for a rich and flakey texture. Finished with a drizzle of warm honey, this baklava embodies the essence of autumn. Perfectly suited for gatherings or a sweet ending to a meal, it's an apple-picking favorite that will impress friends and family alike. If you prefer a non-alcoholic option, simply substitute the rum for lemon juice and zest for a refreshing twist.
12
Servings
N/A
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
Chopped Apples
3 cups (peeled, cored, and chopped)
Chopped Walnuts
2.5 cups (lightly toasted and chopped)
Granulated Sugar
3/4 cup (none)
Raisins
1/2 cup (none)
Dark Rum
2 tablespoons (none)
Ground Cinnamon
2 teaspoons (none)
Phyllo Dough
1 lb (thawed and laid flat)
Clarified Butter
1 lb (melted)
Honey
1 cup (none)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped apples, chopped walnuts, granulated sugar, raisins, rum, and cinnamon. Mix thoroughly until well combined.
3
Trim 8 sheets of phyllo dough to fit a 10 x 15-inch baking pan. Keep the unused phyllo covered with a damp cloth to prevent it from drying out.
4
Arrange the first trimmed sheet of phyllo in the baking pan, brushing it generously with melted clarified butter. Repeat this process with the remaining sheets, layering 8 sheets in total.
5
Spread half of the apple-walnut mixture evenly over the layered phyllo dough.
6
Layer 6 more sheets of buttered phyllo on top of the apple mixture, continuing to brush each sheet with melted butter.
7
Spread the remaining apple-walnut mixture evenly over the top.
8
Finally, layer 8 buttered sheets of phyllo dough over the remaining apple mixture, brushing each layer with melted butter. Tuck in any excess phyllo around the edges neatly.
9
Using a sharp knife, carefully cut the baklava into squares or diamond shapes.
10
Bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes or until the baklava is golden brown and crisp.
11
While the baklava is baking, heat the honey in a small saucepan until warm.
12
Once baked, drizzle the warm honey evenly over the hot baklava, allowing it to soak in for a few minutes before serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main flavor profile of the Cinnamon-Infused Apple Walnut Baklava?
This dessert combines the sweet and tart flavors of freshly chopped apples with crunchy walnuts, plump raisins, and warm cinnamon.
How many servings does this baklava recipe make?
The recipe is designed to yield 12 servings.
What is the recommended oven temperature for baking?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C).
How do I prepare the apples for this recipe?
The apples should be peeled, cored, and chopped to equal approximately 3 cups.
What can I use as a substitute for dark rum?
You can substitute the dark rum with lemon juice and zest for a refreshing, non-alcoholic twist.
How many layers of phyllo dough are used at the bottom of the pan?
The first layer consists of 8 sheets of trimmed phyllo dough, each brushed with clarified butter.
How many sheets of phyllo dough are placed in the middle layer?
The middle layer, placed between the two layers of apple-walnut mixture, consists of 6 buttered phyllo sheets.
How many sheets of phyllo dough make up the top layer?
The final top layer consists of 8 buttered sheets of phyllo dough.
What is the total amount of walnuts needed?
You will need 2.5 cups of lightly toasted and chopped walnuts.
Why is it important to keep the unused phyllo dough covered?
Keeping unused phyllo covered with a damp cloth prevents it from drying out and becoming too brittle to handle.
What size baking pan is required?
This recipe is designed for a 10 x 15-inch baking pan.
How much clarified butter is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 lb of melted clarified butter.
When should the honey be added to the baklava?
Warm honey should be drizzled evenly over the baklava immediately after it is removed from the oven.
Do I need to heat the honey?
Yes, the honey should be heated in a small saucepan until it is warm before drizzling.
How long does the baklava need to bake?
It should be baked for 40 minutes or until it is golden brown and crisp.
What should I do with the excess phyllo around the edges?
You should tuck in any excess phyllo dough neatly around the edges of the pan before baking.
Should the baklava be cut before or after baking?
Using a sharp knife, you should carefully cut the baklava into squares or diamond shapes before placing it in the oven.
How much ground cinnamon is required?
The recipe requires 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon.
What kind of sugar is used in the filling?
The filling uses 3/4 cup of granulated sugar.
Is the walnut mixture divided during the layering process?
Yes, the apple-walnut mixture is divided in half; half is spread over the first 8 sheets, and the other half is spread over the middle 6 sheets.
How many cups of raisins are included?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of raisins.
What weight of phyllo dough is needed?
You will need 1 lb of phyllo dough, thawed and laid flat.
What is the first step in the instructions?
The first step is to preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
How much honey is used in total?
The recipe uses 1 cup of honey.
Does the recipe use regular butter or clarified butter?
The recipe specifically uses clarified butter for its rich flavor and flakey texture.
What provides the tartness in the filling?
The tartness comes from the freshly chopped apples used in the mixture.
Should the walnuts be toasted?
Yes, the walnuts should be lightly toasted before being chopped and added to the mix.
What should I do after drizzling the honey?
Allow the honey to soak into the hot baklava for a few minutes before serving.
Is this recipe suitable for autumn gatherings?
Yes, it is described as an apple-picking favorite that embodies the essence of autumn.
How do you ensure the texture is flakey?
Brushing each individual layer of phyllo dough generously with clarified butter ensures a rich and flakey texture.