Buttery Baked Baklava with Walnut Filling

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 350°F. In a small bowl, combine the chopped walnuts, sugar, cinnamon, and cloves. Set aside.

2. 2

   Brush a 15x10x1-inch baking pan with some of the melted butter. Unroll the phyllo dough and cut the stack into 10-1/2x9-inch rectangles. Discard any scraps.

3. 3

   Layer 2 sheets of phyllo dough in the prepared pan, overlapping slightly. Brush with melted butter. Repeat this process 14 times, keeping the remaining dough covered with a damp towel to prevent drying.

4. 4

   Spread 2 cups of the walnut mixture evenly over the phyllo layers. Top with 5 more layers of phyllo, brushing with butter between each sheet. Spread the remaining walnut mixture over the top. Add 1 more layer of phyllo, brush with butter, and repeat this process 14 times.

5. 5

   Cut the baklava into 2-1/2-inch squares, then cut each square diagonally in half. Brush the remaining melted butter over the top.

6. 6

   Bake for 40-45 minutes, until the phyllo is golden brown. In a large saucepan, bring the sugar, water, honey, and lemon/orange zest to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Strain the syrup, discarding the zest, and let cool to lukewarm. Pour the syrup over the warm baklava.