Chai-Infused Baklava Recipe: A Sweet and Flavorful Twist
Indulge in a delightful fusion of flavors with this unique recipe for chai-infused baklava. This traditional Middle Eastern dessert gets a delicious twist with the addition of aromatic chai spices, creating a treat that is both familiar and exciting. Perfect for special occasions or as a sweet treat for yourself, this chai-infused baklava is sure to impress your taste buds and leave you craving more.
Ingredients:
– 1 package of phyllo dough, thawed
– 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
– 2 cups walnuts, finely chopped
– 1 cup almonds, finely chopped
– 1 cup pistachios, finely chopped
– 1 cup sugar
– 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
– 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
– 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
– 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
– 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
– 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
– 1 cup water
– 1 cup honey
– 2 chai tea bags
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
To prepare the chai-infused syrup, bring the water to a boil in a small saucepan. Add the tea bags and allow them to steep for about 5 minutes. Remove the tea bags and stir in the honey. Set the syrup aside to cool.
In a mixing bowl, combine the chopped nuts, sugar, and chai spices (cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, ginger, nutmeg, and black pepper). Mix well to ensure the spices are evenly distributed throughout the nut mixture.
Place a sheet of phyllo dough in the greased baking dish and brush it with melted butter. Repeat this process, layering buttered phyllo sheets until you have used half of the package.
Spread a generous layer of the nut mixture over the phyllo layers. Continue layering phyllo sheets brushed with butter and nut mixture until all the nut mixture is used up. Top the baklava with a final layer of phyllo dough, ensuring to brush each sheet with butter.
Using a sharp knife, cut the baklava into diamond or square shapes before placing it in the oven.
Bake the chai-infused baklava for about 45-50 minutes, or until the phyllo is golden and crisp.
Once baked, remove the baklava from the oven and immediately pour the cooled chai syrup over the hot baklava, ensuring that it is evenly distributed. Allow the baklava to cool and absorb the syrup for at least a few hours or overnight.
Serve this chai-infused baklava as a decadent dessert or as a sweet treat with your favorite tea or coffee. The rich, nutty filling combined with the warm and fragrant chai spices creates a dessert that is truly irresistible. Impress your family and friends with this unique twist on a classic dessert, and savor every delicious bite of this chai-infused baklava.
