Baklava Bites

Baklava Bites
4.5 (2 ratings)
Flaky, buttery phyllo dough is stacked over layers of chopped walnuts and cinnamon, then drizzled with a honey-vanilla syrup. Everyone will want seconds!This recipe is from "Kosher By Design Lightens Up: Fabulous Food for a Healthier Lifestyle" by Susie Fishbein (Mesorah Publications Ltd., 2008) and was originally published in the South Florida Sun Sentinel.
Prep Time
25
minutes
Cook Time
20
minutes
Servings
12
Baklava Bites recipe - The Daily Meal
Total time: 45 minutes
Ingredients
  • 10 sheets (13-by-8-inch) phyllo dough from 1/2 a (16-ounce) box
  • olive-oil flavored nonstick cooking spray
  • 3/4 cup walnuts
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 3 tablespoon water
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Directions
  1. Step 1: Defrost 10 sheets phyllo dough according to package directions. Keep the stack covered with a damp cloth when not using, to prevent the sheets from drying out.
  2. Step 2: Preheat oven to 375 F. Spray a 12-serving muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray.
  3. Step 3: In the bowl of a small food processor, combine 3/4 cup walnuts, 1/3 cup sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Pulse until the mixture is finely ground and uniform.
  4. Step 4: Place one phyllo sheet horizontally on the cutting board, with the long edge closest to you. Evenly coat the dough with olive-oil flavored nonstick cooking spray — enough to cover, but not soak the phyllo dough. Sprinkle about 5 teaspoons of the walnut mixture all over the sheet and top with a second sheet. Repeat, so that there are five layers of phyllo dough and five layers of walnut mixture.
  5. Step 5: Fold the dough into thirds, like you would a letter. You should now have one long piece, about 13-by-4-inches. Spray the top with cooking spray.
  6. Step 6: Starting right to left, cut the dough into six 2-by-4-inch pieces. Gently fold each piece in half, so you now have 6 thick pieces that are about 2-by-2-inches each. Gently place each piece into a sprayed muffin cup. Repeat the whole process to make six more pieces.
  7. Step 7: Bake about 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown and baked through. White spots in the dough may indicate that it is undercooked.
  8. Step 8: Meanwhile, in a small microwave-safe container, combine 1/4 cup honey and 3 tablespoons water. Heat for 40 seconds or until the honey and water are hot and thoroughly combined. Add 1 teaspoon vanilla.
  9. Step 9: Remove the baklava bites from the oven. Let cool for 5 minutes, then remove from the tin and place onto a wire rack. Drizzle the bites with the honey-vanilla syrup and cool completely. Serve 1 baklava bite per person, with any extra syrup drizzled over the top or in a ramekin on the side.