A fun and beautiful twist on the multiple layered phyllo dough and crushed pecans dessert, a simple baklava cheesecake.
If you don’t know this by now, I love to bake during the holidays. Any reason to have me baking gets me excited. I remember the first time I made a traditional baklava. I was intrigued with the use of multiple layers of phyllo dough. One of my favorite desserts to this day! Well, this was until I learned that I could make a simple baklava cheesecake.
A simple cheesecake with a baklava crust.
This simple baklava cheesecake is really pretty simple. It may be a little tedious when it comes to layering on the phyllo dough sheets and baking/cooling the cheesecake. Overall, this is one cheesecake that I will continue to make year after year. It really is simple when you break it all down.
A cheesecake needs some type of crust layer, whether it be made with crushed graham crackers or sugar cookies. The crust for this simple baklava cheesecake is composed of numerous layers of phyllo dough sheets with butter, followed by a layer of crushed pecans. The cheesecake batter is then poured on top of this.
The baklava crust will not only cover the bottom of the cheesecake, but it will also run up the sides of the cheesecake. Basically creating a beautiful case to hold the cheesecake.
The cheesecake batter.
The cheesecake batter for this simple baklava cheesecake is pretty basic. You will need:
- cream cheese, softened
- mascarpone cheese
- heavy cream
- honey
- eggs
One thing I love about this recipe is that you can add a topping of sugar coated finely chopped pecans. If your cheesecake decides to crack, then this will help keep your simple baklava cheesecake looking pretty!
Pecans, pistachios, and walnuts oh my!
A traditional baklava calls for chopped pistachios and sometimes walnuts. I went with only chopped pecans because it is what I had on hand. Know that you can switch up this nutty layer however you would like.
A Simple Baklava Cheesecake
With baklava being a favorite around the holidays, this fun and beautiful twist on this well known dessert is a must. A Simple Baklava Cheesecake that will have everyone talking about it well after the holidays!
Ingredients
- 12 sheets phyllo dough
- 1 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 1 cup finely chopped pecans
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 2 -8 ounces each cream cheese, softened
- 1 - 8 ounce carton mascarpone cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°.
- Place 1 phyllo dough sheet in a greased 9-in. springform pan, pressing phyllo onto bottom and up side of pan. Then brush the dough sheet with melted butter.
- Layer with remaining phyllo sheets, brushing each layer and rotating the sheets slightly to stagger the corners, slowly covering the entire springform pan. *Keep unused phyllo covered with a damp towel to prevent it from drying out.
- In a small bowl, mix the chopped pecans, sugar and cinnamon; then sprinkle over the layered phyllo.
- Bake 5-7 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Remove from the oven and allow to fully cool in springform pan on a wire rack.
- Reduce oven setting to 325°.
- Prepare the cheesecake batter. Mix the softened cream cheese and mascarpone cheese in a large bowl. Add the honey and heavy cream. Mix well.
- Add the flour and mix. Finally, add the eggs. Make sure to add these about 1 at a time. Fully mixing in each one.
- Carefully pour the cheesecake batter on top of the cooled phyllo dough crust. Gently tap the springform pan to release any trapped air bubbles.
- Bake 50-60 minutes or until center is almost set. Turn off oven and crack open door. Allow cheesecake to cool in oven for 1 hour longer.
- Refrigerate overnight, covering when completely cooled.
- For the cranberries and rosemary garnish: heat up the corn syrup in a microwave-safe bowl for about 10 seconds. Brush corn syrup lightly over both sides of rosemary and cranberries. Place on waxed paper; sprinkle with 1 tablespoon sugar.
- Top the cheesecake with finely chopped pecans and the sugar coated rosemary and cranberries.
Fa la la with this Simple Baklava Cheesecake.
This simple baklava cheesecake is one that everyone she have a chance to try. It is sweet and beautiful. The added phyllo dough crust adds that extra texture to the cheesecake that makes it more fun! Not going to lie. I ate a few of the extra sugar coated cranberries because they are that good!
Hugs!
