Maple Baklava

Ingredients

For the baklava:

1 stick (4 oz) butter, melted

4 oz phyllo dough

1 cup nuts, chopped

1/2 cup brown sugar

For the syrup:

1/2 vanilla bean

1/2 cup maple syrup

1/4 cup water

1/8 tsp butter flavoring

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 F

To assemble the baklava

1. Mix nuts and brown sugar in a bowl and set aside

2. Using a pastry brush, generously butter bottom and sides of an 8x8 inch pan

3. Layer half of the phyllo sheets into pan, brushing each layer with butter

4. Spread nut mixture on top of phyllo sheets

5. Place remaining phyllo sheets on top, brushing each layer with butter

6. Using a sharp knife, make four vertical cuts and five diagonal cuts to create diamond-shaped pieces of baklava

7. Bake for 40-45 minutes and turn off the oven

To create the syrup

1. Combine maple syrup, water and vanilla bean in a saucepan and simmer for 5-7 minutes

2. Remove from heat, add butter extract and let cool until baklava is done baking

To assemble

1. Pour syrup through a sieve (to catch the vanilla bean*) over the hot baklava and place back in the turned-off oven with the door open until ready to eat

Enjoy!

* Don’t toss the vanilla bean just yet! Vanilla beans can be used over again in various ways as they hold a ton of flavor. Consider placing the bean in some sugar (vanilla sugar), vodka (vanilla extract) or even a small jar of maple syrup (for vanilla-infused maple syrup, delicious in coffee!)