Baklava Cigars

Baklava Cigars

Serves 5

Ingredients

1 lemon
14 tbsp. Kowalski's Unsalted Butter, melted, divided
6 oz. (about 1 cup) roasted and salted shelled pistachios, plus more for garnish, if desired
6 tbsp. brown sugar
½ tsp. ground cinnamon
½ tsp. kosher salt
½ cup sugar
¼ cup water
3 sheets frozen phyllo dough, thawed to room temperature
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Directions
  1. Using a fine grater, remove zest from half of the lemon; set zest aside.
  2. Cut lemon in half; squeeze 2 tbsp. juice from zested half of lemon, reserving the other half for another use. Set juice aside.
  3. In a food processor, combine 6 tbsp. butter with nuts, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt; pulse until filling is finely chopped.
  4. In a small saucepan, combine white sugar and water; bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring and cooking until sugar dissolves (about 2 min.).
  5. Remove sugar syrup from heat; stir in lemon zest and juice. Let stand for 15 min. 
  6. Grease an 8" square metal baking pan with a bit of the remaining melted butter. 
  7. Preheat oven to 350°.
  8. On a clean work surface, lay 1 sheet of phyllo dough so the short side is closest to you. Brush the sheet thoroughly with butter; place the second sheet of phyllo on top of the first.
  9. Brush the phyllo with butter and cover with the third sheet; brush the last phyllo sheet with butter.
  10. Cut the phyllo stack in half lengthwise; cut both pieces crosswise into 5 equally sized rectangles.
  11. Scoop 2 tbsp. nut filling along the long edge of each of the rectangle stacks.
  12. Roll the phyllo around the filling into a cigar shape; place the rolls in the pan in a snug single layer.
  13. Brush remaining melted butter over the top of the rolls; bake in the preheated 350° oven until golden-brown and crisp (about 35 min.).
  14. Pour cooled syrup over baklava; cool to room temperature.
  15. Flip cigars; let stand for 15 min. to allow syrup to redistribute.
  16. Garnish with chopped pistachios.

Tasty Tip:

  • We love this popular, sweet dessert with a small scoop of Kowalski's Signature Vanilla Bean Ice Cream.