CASHEW BAKLAVA

Cashew Baklava image

I always wanted to make Baklava, but it seemed like so much work. The son of my neighbor's friend showed us both how to make it...it's really quite easy and so delicious. I like to mix up the nuts in the filling and use walnut, cashews or pecans.-Lorraine Caland, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 1h10m

Yield 2 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 14

Ingredients

1-1/2 cups salted cashews
1-1/2 cups chopped walnuts
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
2/3 cup butter, melted
16 sheets phyllo dough (14 inches x 9 inches)
1-1/3 cups sugar
2/3 cup water
2/3 cup honey
3 lemon slices
2 whole cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350°. For filling, in a food processor, combine the cashews, walnuts, sugar, cardamom, cinnamon and allspice. Cover and pulse until nuts are finely chopped. Brush a 13-in. x 9-in. baking pan with some of the butter. Unroll phyllo dough; trim to fit into pan., Layer four sheets of phyllo dough in prepared pan, brushing each with butter. (Keep remaining dough covered with plastic wrap and a damp towel to prevent it from drying out.) Sprinkle with a third of the nut mixture. Repeat layers twice. Top with remaining phyllo dough, brushing each sheet with butter., Using a sharp knife, cut into 24 triangles. Bake until golden brown, 20-25 minutes., Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, combine the syrup ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Discard lemon slices and cloves. Pour over warm baklava. Cool completely on a wire rack. Cover and let stand overnight.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 258 calories, Fat 15g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 13mg cholesterol, Sodium 128mg sodium, Carbohydrate 31g carbohydrate (24g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 4g protein.