Nutty Fusion Magic: Homemade Pecan Pie Baklava Recipe

Layers of buttery phyllo dance with nutty pecans in this irresistible pecan pie baklava that blends Southern charm with Mediterranean tradition.

Crisp, golden sheets create a delicate foundation for the rich, caramel-like filling waiting inside.

Honey and brown sugar weave through the delicate pastry, promising a decadent dessert experience.

Pecan lovers will swoon over this innovative twist on two beloved classics.

Each bite delivers a symphony of textures—crunchy, flaky, and luxuriously sweet.

This dessert transforms ordinary gatherings into memorable celebrations.

Prepare to be the star baker with a recipe that bridges culinary cultures.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 5 hours

Calories: 408 kcal

Servings: 13

What You’ll Need For Pecan Pie Baklava

• Phyllo Dough: Ultra-thin, delicate pastry sheets that create a flaky, crisp foundation for the dessert.
• Unsalted Butter: Provides rich flavor and helps create golden, lacquered layers that turn beautifully crisp.

• Pecans: Hearty, buttery nuts that deliver a deep, woodsy crunch and southern charm.
• Brown Sugar: Adds caramel-like sweetness and helps bind the nut mixture with warm, molasses undertones.
• Ground Cinnamon: Warm spice that enhances the nutty flavors and provides aromatic depth.

• Honey: Natural sweetener that gives a smooth, floral undertone and helps create a glossy finish.
• Corn Syrup: Ensures a silky, non-crystallizing syrup that penetrates deeply into the pastry.
• Brown Sugar: Reinforces a rich, caramel-like sweetness throughout the dessert.
• Water: Helps dissolve and blend the syrup ingredients smoothly.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds complex, rounded sweetness and aromatic depth.
• Salt: Balances and intensifies the overall sweetness.
• Bourbon (Optional): Introduces a sophisticated, smoky note that complements the pecans.

Gear To Make Pecan Pie Baklava Flaky

• Large mixing bowl: For combining pecans, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
• 913-inch baking dish: Key for layering and baking the baklava.
• Pastry brush: Essential for evenly spreading melted butter between phyllo sheets.
• Sharp knife: Crucial for cutting precise diamond or square shapes before baking.
• Saucepan: Needed for preparing the honey syrup.
• Measuring cups and spoons: For accurate ingredient measurements.
• Cutting board: Helpful for chopping pecans and preparing ingredients.

Steps To Bake Pecan Pie Baklava With Crunch

• Craft the Nutty Base

Blend pecans with sweet spices in a mixing bowl, creating a delicious foundation for your dessert.

• Layer the Delicate Pastry

Heat the oven to 350F. Gently brush a baking dish with butter. Create alternating layers of thin pastry sheets and nut mixture, carefully painting each sheet with melted butter. Build up layers like a delicate pastry sculpture, ensuring each sheet gets a loving butter massage.

• Shape and Bake

Carefully slice the layered pastry into elegant diamond or square shapes. Slide into the oven and bake until the top turns a gorgeous golden brown, around 45-50 minutes.

• Whip Up the Sweet Nectar

In a saucepan, combine honey, corn syrup, brown sugar, water, vanilla, and a splash of bourbon. Bring to a gentle boil, then let it simmer and transform into a luscious syrup.

• Finish with Liquid Magic

Pull the crispy pastry from the oven and immediately drench it with the warm syrup. Allow the dessert to rest and absorb all the sweet goodness for at least four hours, letting the flavors mingle and dance.

Tips For Gooey Pecan Pie Baklava Layers

• Perfect Pecan Pie Baklava Secrets
• Butter Brush Technique: Use a soft pastry brush and gentle strokes when layering phyllo to prevent tearing. Take time brushing each delicate sheet with melted butter for maximum crispiness.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare baklava a day before serving to allow syrup to fully absorb, creating deeper, richer flavor profiles and more tender texture.
• Gluten-Free Twist: Swap traditional phyllo with gluten-free phyllo sheets or use almond flour-based thin pastry for celiac-friendly version without compromising classic taste.
• Storage Savvy: Store baklava at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 5 days. For longer preservation, refrigerate and gently reheat before serving to restore crisp layers.
• Boozy or Booze-Free Options: Replace bourbon with orange liqueur for citrusy notes or use pure vanilla extract for kid-friendly version. Each substitution offers unique flavor complexity.

Serve Pecan Pie Baklava Sweet And Golden

• Sweet Sidekick Delight: Serve this pecan pie baklava alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for a decadent contrast between warm, sticky pastry and cool, creamy sweetness.
• Bourbon Boozy Companion: Pair with a small glass of bourbon or a rich coffee liqueur to complement the dessert's deep, caramelized flavors and enhance the bourbon notes already in the syrup.
• Brunch Elegant Touch: Present on a beautiful wooden board with fresh mint leaves and a dusting of powdered sugar, making it a stunning centerpiece for weekend brunch gatherings or special occasions.
• Festive Holiday Presentation: Arrange individual pieces on decorative holiday plates, garnish with toasted pecan halves, and serve as a luxurious dessert during Thanksgiving or Christmas celebrations.

Keep Pecan Pie Baklava Crisp And Fresh

• Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store the baklava in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for optimal freshness, which helps maintain its crispy texture and prevents soggy layers from developing.
• Freezing Magic Technique: Wrap individual portions or the entire baklava tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 3 months without losing its delicious taste and structural integrity.
• Counter Storage Solution: Keep the dessert at room temperature in a sealed container for 3-4 days, ensuring it remains crunchy and maintains its delectable honey-infused flavor profile.
• Serving Temperature Tip: Let refrigerated baklava sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving to restore its original crisp texture and allow the flavors to fully emerge and delight your taste buds.

Crispy Pecan Pie Baklava Recipe

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4.8 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 5 hours
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Merging Southern pecan pie tradition with Middle Eastern baklava creates a delightful fusion dessert. Crisp phyllo layers, buttery pecans, and rich honey syrup combine in a luxurious sweet treat that satisfies global palate cravings.

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Ingredients

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• 16 oz (454 g) phyllo dough, thawed
• 2.5 cups (300 g) chopped pecans
• 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup (240 ml) honey
• 0.5 cup (120 ml) light corn syrup
• 1 cup (200 g) brown sugar
• 0.5 cup (120 ml) water
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 0.25 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp bourbon (optional, for depth of flavor)

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Instructions

1. Pecan Mixture Preparation: Blend finely chopped pecans with brown sugar and cinnamon in a mixing bowl, creating a fragrant, textured filling for layering.
2. Oven and Dish Preparation: Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and generously butter a 9×13-inch baking dish to establish a golden, crisp foundation.
3. Phyllo Layering Technique: Carefully stack phyllo sheets, brushing each with melted butter, alternating between buttered phyllo and pecan mixture to build delicate, flaky layers.
4. Baklava Assembly: Continue layering until all ingredients are used, ensuring even distribution of pecan mixture and finishing with a top layer of buttered phyllo sheets.
5. Pre-Baking Scoring: Use a sharp knife to create elegant diamond or square cuts across the unbaked pastry, facilitating easier serving after baking.
6. Baking Process: Bake for 45-50 minutes, monitoring until the surface turns golden-brown and edges become crisp, indicating perfect doneness.
7. Syrup Creation: Combine honey, corn syrup, brown sugar, water, vanilla, salt, and bourbon in a saucepan, bringing to a boil before reducing to a gentle simmer for 5 minutes.
8. Syrup Application: Immediately after removing baklava from the oven, pour warm syrup evenly over the hot pastry, ensuring complete saturation and flavor infusion.
9. Resting and Flavor Development: Allow baklava to rest for at least 4 hours or overnight, enabling the pastry to absorb the syrup and intensify its decadent flavor profile.

Notes

• Prepare Precise Layers: Brush each phyllo sheet carefully with melted butter to create a consistently flaky and crisp texture throughout the baklava.
• Control Oven Temperature: Watch closely during baking to prevent over-browning, rotating the dish if needed to ensure even golden coloration and prevent burning.
• Master Syrup Absorption: Pour warm syrup over hot baklava immediately after baking to guarantee maximum flavor penetration and a moist, rich dessert.
• Optimize Resting Time: Allow baklava to sit for at least 4 hours or overnight, enabling the pastry to fully soak up the syrup and develop deep, complex flavors.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American-Mediterranean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 408
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 90 mg
• Fat: 27 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 39 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg