Christmas Baklava Recipe for The Perfect Holiday
Introduction
Baklava is a traditional dessert made of flaky phyllo dough, crunchy nuts, and sweet syrup.
Around Christmas, it becomes extra special when infused with warm spices, festive flavors, and holiday cheer.
This Christmas Baklava recipe is the perfect centerpiece for your holiday table—it’s golden, rich, aromatic, and bursting with the spirit of the season.
Whether you’re sharing it with family or giving it as a homemade gift, it’s guaranteed to spread joy.
Ingredients
For the Baklava:
- 1 package phyllo dough (16 oz, thawed)
- 2 cups mixed nuts (walnuts, pistachios, and almonds, finely chopped)
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- Zest of 1 orange
For the Syrup:
- 1 cup honey
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2–3 whole cloves
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons orange juice
Instructions
- Prepare the Nuts Mixture: In a bowl, combine chopped nuts, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and orange zest. Set aside.
- Prepare the Phyllo Dough: Brush a 9×13-inch baking dish with melted butter. Layer 8 sheets of phyllo dough in the dish, brushing each sheet with butter.
- Layering: Spread a thin layer of the nut mixture over the phyllo. Add 4 more sheets of phyllo, brushing each with butter. Repeat until all nut mixture is used. Finish with 8–10 sheets of phyllo, buttering each generously.
- Cutting: Using a sharp knife, cut the baklava into diamond or square shapes before baking.
- Baking: Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 45–50 minutes, until golden brown and crisp.
- Prepare the Syrup: While baklava bakes, combine honey, water, sugar, cinnamon stick, cloves, lemon zest, and orange juice in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Pour the Syrup: Once the baklava is out of the oven, immediately pour the warm syrup evenly over it. Let it soak for at least 4 hours (or overnight) before serving.
Description
This Christmas Baklava is crispy, nutty, and perfectly sweetened with a festive honey-citrus syrup.
The warm spices of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg give it that unmistakable holiday flavor, while the orange and lemon zest bring freshness to balance the richness.
Each bite is a delightful harmony of textures and flavors—making it a true Christmas treat.
Tips
- Work Quickly with Phyllo: Keep phyllo covered with a damp towel while working, as it dries out fast.
- Use Fresh Nuts: Freshly chopped nuts make the baklava extra crunchy and flavorful.
- Cut Before Baking: Cutting before baking makes serving much easier.
- Soaking Time: Allow the baklava to rest overnight so the syrup fully infuses.
- Festive Touch: Add dried cranberries or a sprinkle of edible gold dust for a holiday look.
Correction
If your baklava turns out soggy, it usually means either the syrup was too hot or poured on cold baklava,
or the phyllo wasn’t baked long enough.
Always remember: hot syrup on cooled baklava OR cool syrup on hot baklava—never both hot.
Enjoy
Serve this Christmas Baklava with a warm cup of spiced tea, mulled wine, or coffee.
It makes a perfect holiday dessert to share with loved ones—or even package beautifully as a sweet homemade Christmas gift.
