Rich Mediterranean Baklava with Walnuts and Honey

Ingredients

• 1 package phyllo dough, thawed
• 2 cups walnuts, finely chopped
• 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup honey
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice, freshly squeezed
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Method

1. 01
   Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. 02
   Butter the bottom and sides of a 9x13 inch baking dish.
3. 03
   Combine the chopped walnuts, cinnamon, and cloves in a bowl.
4. 04
   Unroll the phyllo dough. Cut the stack in half to fit the dish. Cover with a damp towel to keep from drying out.
5. 05
   Place two sheets of dough in the dish, brush with butter, and repeat until you have 8 sheets layered.
6. 06
   Spread a thin layer of the walnut mixture over the dough. Top with two sheets of dough, butter, and repeat layering until all ingredients are used, ending with 6-8 layers of dough.
7. 07
   Using a sharp knife, cut the baklava into diamond or square shapes all the way to the bottom of the dish.
8. 08
   Bake for 50 minutes until golden and crisp.
9. 09
   While the baklava is baking, combine water and sugar in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil and stir until the sugar is dissolved.
10. 10
    Add honey, lemon juice, and vanilla extract to the syrup. Simmer for about 20 minutes, then remove from heat and let cool.
11. 11
    Remove the baklava from the oven and immediately pour the cooled syrup evenly over the hot baklava. Let cool completely before serving.