Baklava Thumbprint Cookies Food

BAKLAVA

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the walnuts, sugar, cinnamon and cloves; set aside. Brush a 15x10x1-in. baking pan with some of the butter. Unroll 1 package phyllo dough; cut stack into a 10-1/2x9-in. rectangle. Repeat with remaining phyllo. Discard scraps., Line bottom of prepared pan with 2 sheets of phyllo dough (sheets will overlap slightly). Brush with butter. Repeat layers 14 times. (Keep dough covered with a damp towel until ready to use to prevent it from drying out.) , Spread with 2 cups walnut mixture. Top with 5 layers of phyllo dough, brushing with butter between each sheet. Spread with remaining walnut mixture. Top with 1 layer of phyllo dough; brush with butter. Repeat 14 times. Cut into 2-1/2-in. squares; cut each square in half diagonally. Brush remaining butter over top. Bake at 350° for 40-45 minutes or until golden brown., In a large saucepan, bring syrup ingredients to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer for 10 minutes. Strain and discard zest; cool to lukewarm. Pour syrup over warm baklava.

MINI BAKLAVA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Stir in sugar and cinnamon. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; add pecans and walnuts, tossing to coat. Simmer, uncovered, until nuts are lightly toasted, 5-10 minutes., Place phyllo shells on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Spoon nut mixture and butter sauce evenly into shells. Bake until golden brown, 9-11 minutes. Cool completely on pan on a wire rack. Drizzle a drop of honey into each shell; let stand, covered, until serving. Serve with additional honey if desired.

BAKLAVA BLONDIES

Steps:

• Place an oven rack in the middle position. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Grease an 8-inch square baking dish with vegetable oil cooking spray and line with a piece of parchment paper so that it has 2 inches of overhang on 2 sides of the pan.
• To make the batter: In a large bowl, combine the brown sugar, butter, honey, salt, cinnamon, vanilla extract and lemon zest. Whisk together for 1 minute until smooth. Add the egg and whisk to incorporate. Add the flour and whisk to combine. Fold in the nuts, scrape into the prepared baking dish and bake until puffed and golden brown on the edges but still light in the center, 28 to 30 minutes. Allow to cool in the pan to room temperature.
• Remove the blondie from the pan and spread the Frosting on top in a swirly layer. Garnish with chopped pistachios and refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow the frosting to get firm for nice slicing. Slice into diamond-shaped bars and serve.
• To prepare the frosting: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment (or with a hand mixer), cream together the butter and honey until light and creamy, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Add the powdered sugar, lemon zest and juice and salt, then whip for 2 to 3 minutes or until pale and fluffy.