Honeybush Baklava with Almonds and Dates

Submitted by: Julie Schwaninger

Prep Time: 30 min prep/45 min bake

Serving Size: 48

Ingredients:
Pastry:
15 sheets of phyllo dough, cut in half crosswise (should make 30-13”x8.5” sheets)
2 1/2 c. of blanched almonds, chopped
1 c. dried dates, chopped
1/2 c. sugar
2 t. ground cinnamon
1/2 t. ground nutmeg
Dash ground clove
2/3 c. unsalted butter, melted

Honeybush Syrup:
1 c. brewed honeybush tea, double strength
1 c. white sugar
1/2 c. honey
1 T. lemon juice

Directions:

Note: Cover phyllo with plastic wrap and a damp tea towel to prevent it from drying out and cracking.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Prepare nut filling: combine nuts, dates, sugar and spices, set aside.

Grease 9x13 pan.

Lay first sheet of phyllo in the pan and brush with melted butter.

Repeat layers of phyllo and brushed butter until the bottom is covered with 10 layers of phyllo. Sprinkle 1/4 of the nut filling over the pastry.

Top the nut filling with 3 layers of phyllo, brushing each with butter.

Sprinkle another 1/4 of nut filling and 3 layers of buttered phyllo, repeating these steps until the nuts filling is gone.

Use all remaining phyllo sheets (there should be 11) to form a thick top layer, making sure to brush each layer with butter.

Use a very sharp knife to cut completely through the uncooked baklava.

Cut the pan into 24 squares, then cut on the diagonal of each square to make triangles.

Bake for 40-50 minutes, until golden brown.

While baklava is baking, prepare the honeybush-scented syrup.

Combine double strength tea, sugar, honey, and lemon juice in a medium saucepan.

Bring to a boil, then lower heat to medium and simmer for 15-20 minutes, reducing to a medium-thick syrup.

Once the baklava is golden brown, remove it from the oven and cool for 10-15 minutes.

Pour the honeybush syrup evenly over the warm baklava and let it cool completely.

Remove cooled baklava from pan and store at room temperature for up to 1 week.