- Preheat Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Prepare the Nut Filling:
- In a bowl, mix together the finely chopped nuts, sugar, and ground cinnamon. Set aside.
- Prepare the Syrup:
- In a saucepan, combine water, sugar, honey, and cinnamon stick (if using). Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 10 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla extract and lemon zest, and let it cool.
- Prepare the Phyllo Dough:
- Unroll the phyllo dough on a clean surface and cover it with a damp kitchen towel to prevent drying out.
- Assemble the Baklava:
- Brush a layer of melted butter on the bottom of a baking dish.
- Place a sheet of phyllo dough in the baking dish and brush it with melted butter. Repeat with several more layers, buttering each one.
- Sprinkle a layer of the nut mixture over the phyllo layers.
- Continue layering phyllo sheets and nuts until you run out of nuts, finishing with several layers of phyllo on top. Remember to brush each layer with melted butter.
- Cut into Portions:
- Use a sharp knife to cut the baklava into diamond or square-shaped portions before baking.
- Bake:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes or until golden brown and crisp.
- Pour Syrup:
- Once the baklava is out of the oven, immediately pour the cooled syrup evenly over the hot baklava.
- Cool:
- Allow the baklava to cool completely before serving. This helps the syrup to be absorbed, giving the baklava its signature sweet and sticky texture.
Baklava is a wonderful treat to enjoy with coffee or tea. Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature.