Ground walnuts are sweetened with sugar and cinnamon and baked in phyllo, then doused in a simple syrup -- no honey in this baklava!
INGREDIENTS (for 3 servings):
- 1 pound walnuts
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 (16 ounce) package phyllo dough
- 5 tablespoons margarine
- 5 tablespoons vegetable oil
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- 3 1/2 cups white sugar
- 2 cups water
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
PREPARATION:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan.
Cut phyllo dough to size of pan, and place half the sheets in the bottom of the pan. Grind walnuts with 1/2 cup sugar and cinnamon in food processor or blender. Spread ground walnut mixture evenly over phyllo. Place remaining phyllo sheets on top of walnut mixture.
Melt margarine with oil in small saucepan over low heat or in microwave. Brush melted mixture over top layer of phyllo. Cut baklava into diamond shapes with a sharp knife.
To make syrup: Combine 3 1/2 cups sugar, water and lemon juice in large saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, then remove from heat. Let cool before pouring over pastry.
Bake 30 minutes in center of oven, or until golden brown. Pour syrup over hot pastry. Let cool before serving.