Honey Pistachio Baklava Cheesecake
A delightful fusion of classic baklava's flaky goodness and creamy cheesecake, this dessert is perfect for impressing guests or enjoying a cozy night in.
Ingredients
For the Crust
- 10 sheets sheets of phyllo pastry (thawed)
- 2 sticks unsalted butter, melted Used for brushing phyllo sheets
For the Nut Layer
- 1 cup roasted walnuts
- 1 cup roasted almonds
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 Tbsp melted butter (for the nut mix)
For the Cheesecake Filling
- 500 g cream cheese, room temperature Must be at room temperature for best results
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 pinch salt
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 Tbsp lemon zest
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice
- 1 Tbsp cornstarch
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 250 g strained Greek yogurt (or sour cream) Greek yogurt can be substituted with sour cream
For the Topping
- 1 cup shelled pistachios (unsalted), coarsely chopped For garnish
- 1 cup honey
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice (for the topping)
- splash rosewater
- additional honey for drizzling For serving
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare an 8 to 10-inch springform pan with a layer of trimmed parchment paper on the base.
- Lay out each phyllo sheet, gently brushing them with melted butter one by one.
- Layer them in your prepared springform pan, trimming any overhanging edges. Bake for about 12 minutes, until the phyllo is golden brown.
Nut Layer
- In a food processor, combine walnuts, almonds, cinnamon, and salt until crumbly. Mix in the melted butter and combine well.
- Evenly spread this nut mixture over the baked phyllo layer.
Cheesecake Filling
- In a mixing bowl, blend cream cheese, sugar, pinch of salt, vanilla extract, lemon zest, lemon juice, and cornstarch until smooth.
- Add the eggs one at a time, followed by the yogurt, combining thoroughly.
- Pour the cream cheese mixture over the nut layer and smooth the top.
Baking the Cheesecake
- Bake in the oven for 45 minutes or until the top is just golden.
- Then, turn off the oven and leave the cheesecake inside for an additional 50 minutes to set.
Finishing Touch
- Allow it to cool completely before topping with a mixture of honey, lemon juice, and a splash of rosewater.
- Finish with a rich sprinkle of chopped pistachios.
Notes
Make sure cream cheese is at room temperature for smooth mixing. Keep phyllo sheets covered to prevent drying out. For added flavor, consider adding cardamom or nutmeg.