Vegan Baklava

The layers of delicious filo and chopped nuts in this vegan baklava are topped in a sweet syrup. It’s an easy-to-make dessert that wows without the use of honey or dairy.

Ingredients

• 1 package phyllo dough (about 20 sheets), thawed according to package instructions
• 1 1/2 cups walnuts, finely chopped
• 1 1/2 cups almonds, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 cup melted vegan butter or margarine
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup agave syrup or maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, combine the finely chopped walnuts, almonds, sugar, ground cinnamon, and ground cloves. Mix well and set aside.
3. Brush a 9×13-inch baking dish with some of the melted vegan butter or margarine.
4. Unroll the phyllo dough sheets and cover them with a slightly damp kitchen towel to prevent them from drying out.
5. Take one sheet of phyllo dough and place it in the baking dish. Brush it with melted vegan butter or margarine. Repeat this step with 8-10 more sheets, brushing each sheet with melted butter or margarine.
6. Sprinkle about 1/3 of the nut mixture evenly over the layered phyllo sheets.
7. Continue layering the remaining phyllo sheets, brushing each sheet with melted vegan butter or margarine, and sprinkling 1/3 of the nut mixture in between.
8. Finish with a final layer of phyllo sheets, brushing the top sheet with melted vegan butter or margarine.
9. Using a sharp knife, carefully cut the Baklava into diamond or square shapes.
10. Bake the Baklava in the preheated oven for about 45-50 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp.
11. While the Baklava is baking, prepare the syrup. In a saucepan, combine the water, sugar, agave syrup or maple syrup, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let the syrup cool.
12. Once the Baklava is done baking, remove it from the oven and immediately pour the cooled syrup evenly over the hot pastry. Allow the Baklava to cool completely before serving.

Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 430
• Fat: 27g
• Carbohydrates: 43g
• Protein: 6g
• Fiber: 3g
• Sugar: 25g
• Sodium: 160mg