Baklava with Honey Walnut Syrup

Crisp layered phyllo pastry filled with spiced walnuts and finished with lemon-honey syrup.

Ingredients

• 1 package phyllo dough, thawed
• 1 1/2 cups melted butter
• 4 cups finely chopped walnuts
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon cloves
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup water
• 3/4 cup honey
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and butter a 9x13-inch pan.
2. Mix walnuts, cinnamon, and cloves.
3. Layer 8 sheets of phyllo in the pan, brushing each lightly with butter.
4. Sprinkle with a layer of walnuts and continue alternating phyllo and nuts, finishing with several buttered phyllo sheets.
5. Cut into diamond or square portions before baking.
6. Bake 40 to 45 minutes until deeply golden.
7. While it bakes, simmer sugar, water, honey, and lemon juice for 8 to 10 minutes, then stir in vanilla.
8. Slowly pour warm syrup over hot baklava and cool completely before serving.