Grecian Baklava

Recipe View Prepare the Syrup: In a saucepan, combine water, 3/4 cup sugar, orange juice, honey, and 1 tablespoon cinnamon. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 10 minutes. (Total time: 15 minutes)

Recipe View Cool the Syrup: Remove the syrup from the heat and allow it to cool completely to room temperature. (Total time: 60 minutes)

Recipe View Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Generously butter a 10x15 inch baking dish. (Total time: 5 minutes)

Recipe View Combine Nut Mixture: In a bowl, stir together 3/4 cup sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, nutmeg, and ground walnuts until well combined. Set aside. (Total time: 5 minutes)

Recipe View Layer the Phyllo and Nuts: Press 2 sheets of phyllo into the prepared dish and brush with melted butter. Continue adding phyllo sheets brushed with butter two at a time until you have 12 sheets total. Sprinkle 1/3 of the walnut mixture evenly over the phyllo. Add another 6 sheets, buttering between every two. Sprinkle 1/2 of the remaining walnut mixture evenly over the phyllo. Top with another 6 buttered phyllo sheets. Finally, sprinkle the remaining walnut mixture onto the phyllo. Place the remaining phyllo on top of the baklava, buttering every two sheets. Brush the remaining butter onto the top of the baklava. (Total time: 30 minutes)

Recipe View Bake: Bake in the preheated oven until the phyllo is golden brown and crispy, about 1 hour. (Total time: 60 minutes)

Recipe View Syrup Time: Remove from the oven; immediately pour the cooled syrup evenly over the hot baklava. (Total time: 5 minutes)

Recipe View Cool and Serve: Allow the baklava to cool completely to room temperature before cutting into 1-inch squares or diamonds to serve. (Total time: 60 minutes)