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Save 15% on Baking Extracts With Code BAKING15
Save 15% on Baking Extracts With Code BAKING15

Test Kitchen Approved

Baklava Bars

Baklava Bars

Baklava Bars

Recipe By Miranda Barnett, Savory Spice Test Kitchen

Yields

8 servings

Prep Time

15 Minutes

Cooking Time

40 Minutes

Recipe By Miranda Barnett, Savory Spice Test Kitchen

Enjoy the flavors and textures of baklava without the stress of phyllo dough. A shortbread crust is the perfect base for orange and cinnamon-spiced nuts, and a final drizzle of orange juice infused honey syrup makes these bars the perfect dessert for any meal.

Ingredients

For cookie base:

8 Tbsp. (1 stick) unsalted butter, at cool room temperature

1/2 cup powdered sugar



1 cup all-purpose flour


For nut topping:

1 cup nuts (pistachios, hazelnuts, walnuts, almonds)

1/4 cup brown sugar


2 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted

Zest of 1 medium orange

For honey syrup:

1/2 cup brown sugar


1/2 cup water

Juice of 1 medium orange (about 1/4 cup)

Savory Spice ingredients in this recipe

  • Pure Madagascar Vanilla Extract

    Our extracts are getting an upgrade! The labels look different, but the extracts are the same. Find them at a store near you coming this spring. Ma...

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  • Pure Almond Extract

    Our baking extracts are getting an upgrade! The labels look different, but the flavors are the same. Find them at your local spice shop coming this...

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  • Mayan Sea Salt

    Mayan Sea Salt has a clean appearance and flavor but is also an interesting tie to the ancient Mayan way of life. Straight from the sea to your tab...

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  • Supreme Saigon Cinnamon

    If you're looking for bold, fresh cinnamon flavor, then look no further with Supreme Saigon Cinnamon. Our ground Saigon cinnamon's higher oil conte...

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  • Honey Powder

    Honey powder, like liquid honey, can be used as a sweetener or flavoring. In powder form, the consistency is much easier to maintain, making it per...

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Directions

Step 1: Make cookie base and par-bake

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Line an 8 x 8 baking pan with parchment paper and grease the parchment well. In a medium bowl, beat together butter, sugar, Madagascar Vanilla Extract, and Almond Extract until light and fluffy. Beat in the flour and Mayan Sea Salt until a stiff dough forms. If needed, add a tablespoon of water to help the dough come together. Press dough evenly into prepared pan. Par-bake for 20 min. until cookie is set but still pale. Rotate pan halfway through to ensure even baking.

Step 2: Make nut topping and finish baking

In a food processor, process nuts until uniformly finely chopped. In a medium bowl, combine processed nuts, brown sugar, Supreme Saigon Cinnamon, butter, and orange zest until well-combined. Spread mixture evenly over par-baked cookie base and bake for another 15 to 20 min. until nuts are golden-brown.

Step 3: Make honey syrup

In a small pot, whisk together brown sugar, Honey Powder, and water. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and simmer until a thick syrup forms, about 20 min. Remove from heat and stir in fresh orange juice.

Step 4: Top and serve

When bars are done baking, set pan on a wire rack to cool and pour honey syrup evenly over entire pan while bars are hot. Syrup will absorb as cookie cool. Let cool completely before removing from pan and serving.