Apple Baklava

A twist on Amy's version http://www.amybites.com/?p=1962

I wonder what would happen if you chopped instead of slicing the apple but my husband said he like being able to identify the apples. I didn't think the phyllo was that difficult to handle but I could see where it could be. We have high humidity right now so it probably wasn't drying out so fast.

My husband's friend who is a chef said it was apple strudel. http://chefinyou.com/2009/05/austrian-apple-strudel/ . From the picture it appear that the dough is rolled around the filling rather than being built in layers in a 13x9 like baklava. Strudel appears that it may be sprinkled with powdered sugar and doesn't seem to have the sugar syrup put on after coming out of the oven.

OK so here is my version. I bet if I used rice paper I could make the recipe gluten free. I don't think you need to be all that exact with the amount of ingredients in the recipe. I bet you could use other nuts and other seasonal fruit too.

Butter 13x9 pan
Bake 45 min at 350F
Use butter flavored oil spray between layers
1 roll of 20 sheets of phyllo dough (Thawed. Follow directions on package.)

Process in food processor then divide into 3 parts

• 16 oz bag walnuts
• 2/3 cup brown sugar
• 2 t cinnamon

Chop up 4 apples (Don't need to peel)
Sprinkle with some fresh lemon juice to keep from browning
Combine with 2/3 of nut mixture.

Sugar syrup - To put on after baklava comes out of oven. Helps hold it together so want it to be sticky. Can make while baklava is cooking in oven. Make syrup in microwave in large mixing bowl.

Microwave in 1 minute intervals until sugar dissolves

• 1.75c sugar
• 1/4 c brown sugar (I didn't have honey which might help syrup be stickier.)
• 1 t cinnamon
• 1 c water

 Add and microwave in 1 minute intervals until syrup thickens

• 1 t fresh lemon juice

Now put the baklava together.

Layer 1 - Bottom

• Lay 1 phyllo sheet in bottom of 13x9pan. Don't worry if it's too big. Just fold it over. Spray with butter flavored vegetable oil.
•  Repeat with 4 more sheets
•  Put down 1/2 of apple/nut mixture

Layer 2 - Middle; Repeat Layer 1




Layer 3 -

• 5 sheets phyllo dough, sprayed in between with butter flavored vegetable oil
•  Put down remaining 1/3 of nut mixture

Top Crust

• 5 sheet phyllo dough, sprayed in between with butter flavored vegetable oil

Slice into squares
Bake 45 min/ 350F. Will lightly brown in last 5 minutes.
Pour over sticky sugar syrup when you remove baklava from oven
Someone told me they used phyllo dough to roll around a meat filling.