Baklava Bars

These Baklava Bars are one of my absolute favorites from this year’s Christmas Cookie collection. I will admit that traditional baklava is one of my favorite desserts on the planet. It is crunchy, sweet, and slightly spiced. This recipe brings those elements into a cookie bar. The base is essentially a shortbread (and egg-free!). The topping is simply spiced nuts with a little brown sugar, and the syrup on top is honey based with just a touch of fresh orange juice. The recipe is adapted from the blogger Tutti Dolci.

Baklava Bars offer a unique twist on a beloved classic, bringing together the aromatic spices and nutty goodness of baklava with the convenience of cookies. I consider this one of my elevated cookie recipes. You know, the ones that I bring along when I want to impress crowd. However, the cookies itself is insanely easy to make.

When it comes to putting together the perfect Christmas cookie box, you need to have all of the “flavor profiles”. Also, I like to vary the difficulty AND time expenditure of the cookies. This way, you won’t be stuck in the kitchen for hours! These come together so quickly. There is no chill time required! I do suggest that you make these last (right before giving out your boxes) since I do not suggest freezing this dough. The cookies will keep for 1 week at room temperature!

I like to cut these Baklava cookie bars into triangles but feel free to cut them into squares if you feel so inclined!

Baklava Cookie Bars

These baklava cookie bars have the some of my favorite elements of traditional baklava (nuts, honey, warm spices) with about 1/4 of the work.

PRep TimePrep Time 1 hour hr

Cook TimeCook Time 45 minutes mins

Servings 10

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Ingredients

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp orange zest
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon

Spiced Nuts

• 2/3 cup pecans chopped
• 2/3 cup walnuts chopped
• 1/3 cup light brown sugar
• 3/4 tsp cinnamon
• Pinch cloves
• 1/8 tsp nutmeg
• 5 Tbsp unsalted butter melted

Honey Syrup

• 1/3 cup honey
• 3 Tbsp water
• 1 Tbsp fresh orange juice

Instructions

• Line an 8X8 baking pan with parchment paper creating a sling, so you can lift the bars out after baking.
• Preheat the oven to 350F.
• In a large bowl, mix butter and sugars with a non-stick spatula. Add in vanilla and orange zest and mix to combine.
• In a small bowl, combine dry ingredients for the cookie base and mix with a whisk or fork to make sure everything is evenly distributed.
• Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix to form thick dry, dough.
• Use your hands to press the dough into the prepared parchment sheet. Press into an even layer.
• Bake for 15 minutes until the edges are slightly set.
• While the bar base is baking, prepare the nut topping. Using a nonstick spatula, mix the nuts, spices and sugar together in a medium bowl. Drizzle melted butter on top and mix until combined.
• Spread nut mixture on top of par-baked bars and bake again. Bake for another 10-12 minutes until the bars look golden brown.
• While the bars are baking, make the honey syrup. In a small saucepan combine all ingredients (make sure not to over-measure here as too much syrup will make the bars soggy).
• Place saucepan over medium hit and stir until clear syrup forms. Remove from heat.
• When the bars are done, remove from the oven.
• Drizzle syrup on top and let sit until bars are cooled and set. Cut in half and then into triangle shaped pieces.
• Enjoy!