Honey-Drenched Pecan Pie Baklava Recipe: Sweet Fusion Magic

Sweet memories of grandma’s kitchen dance with Middle Eastern charm in this unexpected pecan pie baklava fusion.

Layers of buttery phyllo whisper delicate stories of culinary adventure.

Nutty pecans mingle with honey-drenched pastry in a dessert that defies traditional boundaries.

Crisp textures and rich flavors promise an extraordinary experience for anyone seeking something extraordinary.

Delicate phyllo sheets crackle with each careful slice, revealing hidden depths of sweet complexity.

Nuts tumble between gossamer-thin pastry like edible treasures waiting to be discovered.

Each bite tells a delicious story of cultural connection and pure indulgence.

Let you savor every magical moment of this incredible dessert journey.

What Matches With Pecan Pie Baklava

• Sip Smooth Bourbon Cocktail: Pair the rich, nutty baklava with a classic bourbon old fashioned that echoes the bourbon in the syrup, creating a harmonious flavor experience that enhances the dessert's deep caramel notes.
• Pour Rich Dessert Wine: Select a sweet port or muscadel wine that complements the baklava's honeyed sweetness and provides a luxurious backdrop to the nutty, buttery layers of pastry.
• Match Spiced Coffee Companion: Serve a warm cappuccino or espresso with a touch of cinnamon, which mirrors the pie's warm spices and cuts through the dessert's intense sweetness, offering a delightful palate cleanser.
• Create Vanilla Cream Accent: Add a small scoop of vanilla bean ice cream alongside the baklava, allowing the cold, creamy texture to contrast beautifully with the warm, crispy pastry and provide a refreshing balance.

Creative Takes On Pecan Pie Baklava

• Southern Comfort Pecan Pie Baklava: Replace bourbon with Southern Comfort whiskey for a deeper, richer flavor profile that adds warmth and complexity to the traditional syrup.
• Maple Walnut Variation: Swap pecans with walnuts and substitute corn syrup with pure maple syrup to create a woodland-inspired version that highlights earthy, natural sweetness.
• Chocolate Drizzle Baklava: After the baklava cools, drizzle melted dark chocolate over the top, creating a decadent layer that complements the nutty, sweet base and adds luxurious depth.
• Spiced Autumn Blend: Incorporate ground nutmeg and cloves into the nut mixture, giving the baklava a warm, seasonal essence that evokes cozy fall memories.

Why Pecan Pie Baklava Is Sweet, Sticky, And Irresistible

• Elevate Traditional Desserts: This pecan pie baklava brilliantly merges two beloved desserts, transforming classic recipes into an extraordinary culinary experience that surprises and delights taste buds.
• Master Impressive Baking: Despite looking complex, this recipe offers manageable steps for home bakers, allowing even intermediate cooks to create a stunning dessert that looks professionally crafted.
• Perfect for Celebration Moments: Whether hosting holiday gatherings, family dinners, or special occasions, this dessert creates wow-factor with its rich layers, complex flavors, and gorgeous presentation that sparks conversation.
• Quick Weekend Baking Project: With straightforward preparation and minimal specialized skills required, this recipe becomes an enjoyable weekend cooking adventure that yields deliciously impressive results in just a few hours.

All You Need For Pecan Pie Baklava

• Pecans: Rich, buttery nuts that provide the signature flavor and crunch of the dessert. Fresh, high-quality pecans work best.
• Brown Sugar: Adds deep, caramel-like sweetness and helps bind the nut mixture. Use dark brown sugar for more intense flavor.
• Cinnamon: Warm spice that complements the pecans and adds depth to the filling.

• Phyllo Dough: Delicate, paper-thin pastry sheets that create layers of crispy texture. Thaw completely before using.
• Unsalted Butter: Provides richness and helps create golden, crisp layers. Use high-quality butter for best results.

• Honey, Corn Syrup: Sweet syrups that create the signature sticky, glossy coating. Raw honey adds more complex flavor.
• Brown Sugar: Deepens the syrup's caramel notes and adds richness.
• Water: Helps dissolve and blend the syrup ingredients.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, sweet aroma to the syrup.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances overall flavor.
• Bourbon (Optional): Provides a sophisticated, subtle depth to the syrup.

Steps To Make Pecan Pie Baklava Perfectly

Step 1: Crumble Nutty Goodness

In a mixing bowl, combine finely chopped pecans, rich brown sugar, and warm cinnamon. Set this delightful mixture aside while you prepare the other components.

Step 2: Build Flaky Layers

Warm up your oven to a cozy 350F (175C).

Grab a 9×13-inch baking dish and generously brush it with melted butter.

Start creating your masterpiece by carefully laying down 2 delicate sheets of phyllo dough, painting each with a loving coat of melted butter.

Continue this buttery layering process until you’ve built 8 beautiful sheets.

Sprinkle one-third of your pecan mixture evenly across the surface.

Add another 6 sheets of phyllo, giving each a buttery massage.

Repeat this magical layering process two more times – nut mixture followed by phyllo sheets.

Crown your creation with a final 8 sheets of buttered phyllo dough.

Step 3: Slice and Bake to Perfection

Grab a sharp knife and create beautiful diamond or square patterns across your baklava.

Slide the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes until it turns a gorgeous golden brown and becomes wonderfully crispy.

Step 4: Craft the Luscious Syrup

• Golden honey
• Smooth corn syrup
• Deep brown sugar
• Fresh water
• Pure vanilla
• A pinch of salt
• Optional bourbon for extra excitement

Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Remove from heat and let it cool down slightly.

Step 5: Final Magical Touch

The moment your baklava emerges from the oven, pour the warm syrup evenly over the hot pastry.

Allow the baklava to rest and soak up all the delicious syrup for at least 4 hours, or even better, let it sit overnight for maximum flavor intensity.

Enjoy your incredible pecan pie baklava – a true celebration of flavors and textures!

Baking Tips For Perfect Pecan Pie Baklava

• Prep Pecans with Precision: Toast chopped pecans lightly before mixing with brown sugar and cinnamon to enhance their rich, nutty flavor and create deeper aromatic notes.
• Master Phyllo Handling: Keep phyllo sheets covered with a damp towel while working to prevent drying out and becoming fragile, ensuring smooth layering without tearing.
• Slice Before Baking: Cut the baklava into desired shapes before baking to help syrup penetrate evenly and create clean, beautiful serving portions.
• Syrup Temperature Trick: Pour warm syrup over hot baklava immediately after baking to guarantee maximum absorption and a perfectly moist texture.
• Storage Savvy: Store baklava at room temperature in an airtight container for up to a week, letting flavors meld and develop a more intense sweetness over time.

How To Keep Pecan Pie Baklava Crisp And Buttery

• Preserve your delectable pecan pie baklava like a pastry pro.
• Wrap the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or transfer pieces to an airtight container for maximum freshness.
• Store at room temperature for up to 5 days, keeping the layers crisp and syrupy.
• Refrigeration works well for longer storage, extending the shelf life to 7-10 days, but may slightly soften the phyllo's signature crunch.
• Freeze individual pieces or the entire batch by wrapping securely in plastic wrap and placing in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
• Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before serving to maintain that perfect, delicate texture.

Top Questions About Pecan Pie Baklava

• What makes this Pecan Pie Baklava unique compared to traditional baklava?

This recipe combines the classic Middle Eastern baklava technique with American pecan pie flavors, creating a delicious fusion dessert that blends sweet honey syrup with rich pecan and brown sugar filling.

• Do I need special skills to make this dessert?

Not at all! While baklava can seem intimidating, this recipe is straightforward. The key is layering phyllo dough carefully and brushing each sheet with butter. If you can follow simple steps, you’ll successfully create this impressive dessert.

• Can I substitute any ingredients if I don't have everything on hand?

For the nuts, you can swap pecans with walnuts. If you don’t have bourbon, simply omit it or use a splash of vanilla extract. Corn syrup can be replaced with maple syrup for a different flavor profile.

• How can I tell if my baklava is perfectly baked?

Look for a golden brown color and crispy top layers. The phyllo should be flaky and light, not soggy. When you tap the top, it should sound slightly crisp and sound hollow. The edges will also be beautifully caramelized when done correctly.

Pecan Pie Baklava Recipe

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4.7 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 5 hours
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Sweet Southern charm meets Mediterranean magic in this Pecan Pie Baklava, blending flaky phyllo layers with rich pecans and honey syrup. Delicate pastry and nutty warmth create an irresistible dessert you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 16 ounces (454 grams) phyllo dough, thawed
• 2.5 cups (300 grams) chopped pecans
• 1 cup (227 grams) unsalted butter, melted

Sweeteners and Syrups:

• 1 cup (240 ml) honey
• 0.5 cup (120 ml) light corn syrup
• 0.5 cup (100 grams) brown sugar
• 0.5 cup (100 grams) brown sugar
• 0.5 cup (120 ml) water

Spices and Flavor Enhancers:

• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 0.25 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon bourbon (optional, for depth of flavor)

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Instructions

1. Assemble the aromatic pecan mixture by combining finely chopped pecans with rich brown sugar and warm cinnamon in a mixing bowl, then set aside for later layering.
2. Warm the oven to 350F (175C) and prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish by generously brushing it with melted butter to ensure a golden, crisp foundation.
3. Create delicate layers by carefully placing two sheets of phyllo dough into the buttered dish, meticulously brushing each sheet with melted butter to achieve a flaky texture.
4. Continue building layers by adding more phyllo sheets, alternating between buttered phyllo and the prepared pecan mixture, ensuring even distribution of the nutty filling.
5. Repeat the layering process, carefully stacking buttered phyllo sheets and pecan mixture until you’ve used all the ingredients, finishing with a top layer of phyllo sheets.
6. Using a sharp knife, precisely score the unbaked baklava into elegant diamond or square shapes, allowing for easy cutting after baking.
7. Slide the prepared dish into the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes, watching for a golden-brown color and crispy edges that signal perfect doneness.
8. While the baklava bakes, craft a luscious syrup by combining honey, corn syrup, brown sugar, water, vanilla, salt, and a splash of bourbon in a saucepan.
9. Bring the syrup to a rolling boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to blend the flavors and create a smooth consistency.
10. Remove the syrup from heat and allow it to cool slightly, maintaining its warm temperature for optimal absorption.
11. Immediately after removing the baklava from the oven, pour the warm syrup evenly over the hot pastry, ensuring complete and thorough saturation.
12. Exercise patience by allowing the baklava to rest and soak up the syrup for at least 4 hours, or ideally overnight, which intensifies the flavors and creates a decadent dessert experience.

Notes

• Toast pecans beforehand to enhance their nutty flavor and create a deeper, more complex taste profile in the baklava.
• Work quickly with phyllo dough to prevent it from drying out, keeping a damp towel over unused sheets to maintain moisture.
• Use clarified butter or ghee for a cleaner, more refined buttery layer that helps achieve extra crispy texture.
• For a gluten-free version, substitute phyllo with gluten-free thin rice paper or almond flour-based sheets, ensuring similar delicate crunch.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American-Mediterranean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 100 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg