YIELD: Makes 15 servings

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup – walnuts, chopped

1 T – butter, cut into 8 cubes

1 T – sugar

1/2 tsp. – cinnamon

1/8 tsp. – vanilla extractpinch – salt

1 – apple, peeled and finely diced (about 1/2 cup)

1 T – flour

1 package – mini fillo shells (15 shells)

1/4 cup – water

1/4 cup – honey

1/8 tsp. – cardamom, optional

1/2 – lemon, juiced

DIRECTIONS

Heat your oven to 350ºF.

Arrange the fillo shells on a baking sheet.

Add the walnuts, butter, sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and salt to a food processor or blender; process until the ingredients come together into a chunky dough. Combine the apples and flour in a medium mixing bowl. Add the walnut mixture; mix well.

Pack about 1 heaping tsp. of the apple-walnut mixture into each fillo shell. Bake for 10 minutes.

While the baklava bakes, combine the water and honey in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 8-10 minutes or until reduced to a thin syrup. Stir in the cardamom and lemon juice.

Carefully spoon the syrup over the baked baklava, letting it seep into the walnut filling.

Refrigerate until ready to serve.