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Easy Baklava Cheesecake Recipe

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4 from 80 reviews

This Easy Baklava Cheesecake combines the rich flavors of traditional baklava with a creamy, smooth cheesecake filling. Layers of buttery filo pastry and roasted walnuts create a crispy, golden base, topped with a luscious cream cheese mixture and soaked in a fragrant honey and rosewater syrup. Perfect as a unique dessert that blends Mediterranean and Middle Eastern influences with classic cheesecake indulgence.

  • Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes plus 2 hours chilling
  • Yield: 8 servings

Ingredients

For the crispy baklava pastry

  • 1 pack Filo pastry (250g or 10 sheets)
  • 50 g (¼ cup) Unsalted butter, melted but not hot
  • 140 g (1¼ cups) Walnuts, roasted and pulsed to small pieces

For the cream cheese filling

  • 450 g (2 cups) Cream cheese, room temperature
  • 100 g (½ cup) Granulated sugar
  • 15 g (2 tablespoons) All purpose flour, sieved
  • 3 Eggs, room temperature
  • 75 g (⅓ cup) Heavy Cream (at least 36% fat), room temperature

For the baklava honey syrup

  • 120 g (½ cup) Water
  • 70 g (⅓ cup) Granulated sugar
  • 50 g (¼ cup) Honey
  • Juice of ½ lemon
  • Zest of ½ lemon, peeled into 2-3 pieces
  • 1 medium Cinnamon stick
  • 1 tablespoon pure 100% natural Rose water

Optional garnish

  • 1 tablespoon Dried rose petals
  • 2 tablespoons Pistachio nuts

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven and roast walnuts: Preheat the oven to 200°C (392°F) without fan. Spread walnuts on a tray and roast for 5-10 minutes until fragrant but not burnt. Remove from oven.
  2. Lower oven temperature and prepare walnuts: Adjust oven temperature to 180°C (356°F). Pulse roasted walnuts in a food processor until in small pieces but not powdered. Alternatively, chop finely by hand.
  3. Make cream cheese filling: In a large bowl, use an electric hand whisk to beat room-temperature cream cheese with sugar until fluffy (1-2 minutes). Add the sieved flour, eggs, and heavy cream in order, mixing just until combined without over-mixing.
  4. Prepare filo pastry: Melt butter in microwave for brushing. Unwrap filo sheets and keep them between damp tea towels to prevent drying.
  5. Assemble base layers: Generously butter the bottom and sides of a springform pan. Lay 2 sheets of filo in the pan, brush with butter, then sprinkle with walnuts. Repeat this layering (2 sheets, butter, walnuts) 4 times.
  6. Add filling and top layers: Place 2 more sheets of filo pastry on top, then pour the cream cheese filling over evenly. Trim filo edges to be level with the pan’s top using scissors.
  7. Bake cheesecake: Bake for 45 minutes. Carefully remove springform pan sides and continue baking for 25 more minutes to brown the filo sides. Adjust timing if needed depending on your oven.
  8. Make syrup: In a saucepan, bring water, sugar, honey, lemon juice, lemon zest pieces, and cinnamon stick to a boil. Simmer 5-10 minutes until syrup thickens slightly. Remove from heat, discard zest and cinnamon, then stir in rosewater.
  9. Finish baklava cheesecake: Pour warm syrup over the cheesecake immediately after baking, focusing on pouring around the filo edges with less syrup in the center.
  10. Chill and garnish: Let cheesecake cool and set in refrigerator for at least 2 hours. Garnish with pistachio nuts and dried rose petals if desired before serving.
  11. Storage: Serve fresh or keep refrigerated for 2-3 days for best flavor and texture.

Notes

  • Use a digital kitchen scale to measure ingredients accurately for best results.
  • Keep filo sheets covered with damp towels at all times to prevent drying out and tearing.
  • Do not overmix the cream cheese filling to maintain a light, fluffy texture.
  • Adjust baking time based on your oven’s actual temperature and heat distribution.
  • The honey syrup can be made ahead and warmed before pouring over the cheesecake.
  • This cheesecake is best served chilled after sufficient refrigeration.
  • Optional garnishes enhance both flavor and presentation but can be omitted.
  • Author: Madelynn
  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Mediterranean, Middle Eastern

Find it online: https://allyumcooks.com/easy-baklava-cheesecake-recipe/