Easy Baklava

Instructions

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1. 1 Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Butter a 9x13-inch baking dish.
2. 2 Toss together nuts and cinnamon. Unroll phyllo and cut the whole stack in half to fit the dish. Cover phyllo with a damp cloth while assembling the baklava, to keep it from drying out.
3. 3 Place 2 sheets of phyllo in the bottom of the prepared dish. Brush generously with some of the melted butter. Sprinkle 2 to 3 tablespoons of the nut mixture on top. Repeat layers until all ingredients are used, ending with about 6 sheets of phyllo.
4. 4 Using a sharp knife, cut baklava into 4 long rows, then diagonally 9 times to make 36 diamond shapes. Be sure to cut all the way through to the bottom of the layers.
5. 5 Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown and crisp, about 50 minutes.
6. 6 While baklava is baking, combine sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium heat and bring to a boil. Stir in honey, vanilla, and lemon zest; reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes.
7. 7 Remove baklava from the oven and immediately spoon syrup over it. Let cool completely before serving. Store uncovered.