Baklava Cigars
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
Directions
- Using a fine grater, remove zest from half of the lemon; set zest aside.
- Cut lemon in half; squeeze 2 tbsp. juice from zested half of lemon, reserving the other half for another use. Set juice aside.
- In a food processor, combine 6 tbsp. butter with nuts, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt; pulse until filling is finely chopped.
- 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.).
- Remove sugar syrup from heat; stir in lemon zest and juice. Let stand for 15 min.
- Grease an 8" square metal baking pan with a bit of the remaining melted butter.
- Preheat oven to 350°.
- 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.
- Brush the phyllo with butter and cover with the third sheet; brush the last phyllo sheet with butter.
- Cut the phyllo stack in half lengthwise; cut both pieces crosswise into 5 equally sized rectangles.
- Scoop 2 tbsp. nut filling along the long edge of each of the rectangle stacks.
- Roll the phyllo around the filling into a cigar shape; place the rolls in the pan in a snug single layer.
- Brush remaining melted butter over the top of the rolls; bake in the preheated 350° oven until golden-brown and crisp (about 35 min.).
- Pour cooled syrup over baklava; cool to room temperature.
- Flip cigars; let stand for 15 min. to allow syrup to redistribute.
- Garnish with chopped pistachios.
Tasty Tip:
- We love this popular, sweet dessert with a small scoop of Kowalski's Signature Vanilla Bean Ice Cream.