Baklava, the luscious and nutty pastry delight, has been enchanting taste buds across the Mediterranean for centuries. But what happens when you combine the rich, honeyed layers of baklava with the creamy decadence of cheesecake? Magic. We’re taking your taste buds on a journey to discover the delightful fusion of two beloved desserts: Baklava Cheesecake.
Ingredients:
For the Baklava Layer:
- Phyllo dough sheets
- Melted butter
- Chopped mixed nuts (usually walnuts, pistachios, and almonds)
- Ground cinnamon
- Honey Syrup (honey, sugar, water, and lemon juice)
For the Cheesecake Layer:
- Cream cheese
- Sugar
- Eggs
- Vanilla extract
- Greek yogurt or sour cream
Instructions:
Baklava Layer
- Begin by layering phyllo dough sheets in a baking dish, brushing each sheet with melted butter as you go.
- Mix your chopped nuts with a sprinkle of ground cinnamon and layer them on top of the phyllo dough.
- Continue layering phyllo sheets, brushing with butter, until you’ve used about half of your phyllo dough.
- Add another layer of nuts, followed by more phyllo dough, continuing to brush with butter. Finish with a final layer of nuts.
- Using a sharp knife, cut the baklava into squares or diamonds before baking.
- Bake your baklava layer until it’s golden brown and crisp.
- While it’s baking, prepare your honey syrup by combining honey, sugar, water, and lemon juice in a saucepan. Heat until the sugar dissolves, then let it simmer for a few minutes to thicken slightly. Let it cool.
- When the baklava layer is done baking, immediately pour the cooled honey syrup over it, allowing the sweet liquid to soak into the layers.
Cheesecake Layer
- In a separate bowl, mix cream cheese, sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
- Fold in Greek yogurt or sour cream for a tangy twist.
- Pour the cheesecake mixture over the baked and syrup-soaked baklava layer.
- Bake the entire cheesecake in the oven until the cheesecake layer is set.
Chill and Serve
- Once it’s done, allow your Baklava Cheesecake to cool and refrigerate it for a few hours or overnight to set completely.
- Serve chilled, and garnish with extra chopped nuts and a drizzle of honey for a touch of decadence.
