Easy Baklava Recipe

Super simple to make and absolutely delicious! For big kids: have them measure out the ingredients. --Ingredients-- 1 pound chopped nuts 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 (16 ounce) packaged phyllo dough 1 cup butter, melted 1 cup white sugar 1 cup water 1/2 cup honey 1 teaspoon vanilla extract --STEP 1-- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Butter a 9x13 inch baking dish. --STEP 2-- Toss together cinnamon and nuts. Unroll phyllo and cut whole stack in half to fit the dish. Cover phyllo with a damp cloth while assembling the baklava, to keep it from drying out. --STEP 3-- Place two sheets of phyllo in the bottom of the prepared dish. Brush generously with 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. Using a sharp knife, cut baklava (all the way through to the bottom of the dish) into four long rows, then (nine times) diagonally to make 36 diamond shapes. --STEP 4-- Bake in preheated oven until golden brown and crisp, about 50 minutes. --STEP 5-- 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 or orange zest; reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes. --STEP 6-- Remove the baklava from the oven and immediately spoon the syrup over it. Let cool completely before serving. Store uncovered. --------- Image credit and recipe: www.allrecipes.com