Heavenly Baklava Cheesecake Recipe: Fusion Dessert Magic

Sweet layers of nutty baklava collide with creamy cheesecake in this irresistible dessert that bridges Mediterranean and American culinary traditions.

Crisp phyllo pastry mingles with rich cream cheese, creating a decadent fusion that’ll make your taste buds dance.

The delicate balance of honey, cinnamon, and nuts weaves through each luxurious bite.

Bakeries and home cooks alike have fallen in love with this show-stopping treat that seamlessly blends two beloved desserts.

Flaky, buttery phyllo sheets promise a delightful crunch against the smooth, velvety cheesecake filling.

Every slice promises an adventure of textures and flavors that will transport you to a world of sweet indulgence.

Get ready to impress and savor a dessert that breaks all the delicious rules.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 1 hour

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 8 hours (includes cooling and chilling time)

Calories: 360 kcal

Servings: 13

Ingredients for Baklava Cheesecake

• Butter: Provides rich, creamy base for shortbread, choose high-quality unsalted butter for best flavor.
• Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, delicate texture and subtle sweetness in crust.
• Flour: Binds ingredients together, gives structural integrity to the shortbread base.
• Pistachios, Pecans: Add nutty crunch and depth, select fresh, fragrant nuts for maximum flavor.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall taste with warm, aromatic notes.

• Cream Cheese: Creates smooth, luxurious base, use room temperature for perfect blending.
• Honey: Adds natural sweetness and distinctive floral undertones.
• Sour Cream: Provides tangy richness and silky texture.
• Eggs: Bind and stabilize the cheesecake, ensure freshness for best results.
• Cinnamon: Introduces warm, spicy complexity to the filling.
• Vanilla Extract: Deepens flavor profile with elegant aromatic essence.

• Phyllo Dough: Delivers delicate, crispy layers, handle gently to prevent tearing.
• Nuts: Adds crunchy texture and robust flavor, mix varieties for complexity.
• Sugar: Creates sweet syrup base with balanced sweetness.
• Lemon Juice: Brightens syrup with subtle citrus tang.
• Water: Helps dissolve sugar and create smooth syrup consistency.
• Honey: Provides rich, golden sweetness to final syrup.
• Melted Butter: Ensures crispy, golden phyllo layers.
• Cinnamon: Introduces warm, aromatic spice to nut mixture.

Tools You’ll Need for Making Baklava Cheesecake

• Stand Mixer: Essential for creaming butter, mixing cheesecake batter, and creating smooth textures quickly.
• 9-inch Springform Pan: Crucial for assembling and baking the cheesecake, allowing easy removal.
• Small Saucepan: Perfect for preparing honey syrup, controlling heat while stirring.
• Mixing Bowls: Needed for combining ingredients like nuts and dry mixtures.
• Pastry Brush: Ideal for evenly coating phyllo layers with melted butter.
• Sharp Knife: Useful for cutting phyllo dough and precise cake slicing.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient proportions.
• Baking Sheet: Optional for easier oven handling and catching any potential drips.

How to Assemble and Bake Baklava Cheesecake

Honey Heaven

• Syrup Base Preparation

Create a sweet liquid blend in a small pan by combining sugar, lemon juice, water, and golden honey. Gently simmer the mixture until it transforms into a smooth, glossy sauce. Let it cool and rest.

• Nutty Foundation

Craft a delectable base by whipping softened butter until creamy. Blend in powdered sugar and vanilla, creating a silky mixture. Fold in roughly chopped pistachios and pecans. Press the crumbly dough into a springform pan, ensuring complete coverage of bottom and sides. Chill in the freezer.

• Delicate Pastry Layers

Carefully handle fragile phyllo sheets, cutting them to perfectly fit the pan. Alternate thin sheets with a sprinkle of cinnamon-infused crushed nuts, generously brushing each layer with melted butter. Create a beautiful tapestry of about 40 delicate layers. Freeze briefly and slice into elegant wedges.

• Creamy Cheesecake Magic

Warm the oven to a gentle 350°F. Whip cream cheese until cloud-like and fluffy. Incorporate honey, sour cream, eggs, vanilla, and a whisper of cinnamon. Pour the silky mixture into the chilled crust. Arrange the prepared baklava topping with artistic flair. Bake until perfectly set, watching carefully to prevent over-browning.

• Final Touch

Once cooled, drizzle the prepared honey syrup over the cheesecake. Refrigerate for several hours, allowing flavors to meld and texture to become luxuriously smooth. Serve chilled and enjoy a slice of pure indulgence.

Flavor Tips for Crisp and Creamy Baklava Cheesecake

• Replace regular phyllo dough with gluten-free phyllo sheets or use alternative thin pastry options for sensitive diets.
• Cut down on honey syrup sweetness by using less sugar or substituting with natural sweeteners like maple syrup or agave.
• Assemble the cheesecake a day before serving to let flavors develop and enhance the overall complexity of the dessert.
• Use an instant-read thermometer to check cheesecake doneness, ensuring a perfectly creamy texture without overbaking.

How to Serve Baklava Cheesecake Like a Pro

• Delightful Dessert Companions
• Rich vanilla bean ice cream creates a cool contrast against the warm, nutty cheesecake. Its creamy texture complements the honey and cinnamon notes perfectly.
• Middle Eastern Tea Pairing
• Strong Turkish coffee or cardamom-spiced tea serves as an ideal accompaniment. These traditional beverages enhance the baklava cheesecake's complex flavor profile and cultural essence.
• Garnish Elegance
• Sprinkle extra chopped pistachios and drizzle additional honey over individual slices. Fresh mint leaves add a bright, aromatic touch that elevates the dessert's visual appeal and freshness.
• Seasonal Fruit Accent
• Macerated fresh berries or poached pears provide a light, tangy counterpoint to the dense, sweet cheesecake. Their natural sweetness and slight acidity balance the rich dessert beautifully.

Baklava Cheesecake Storage and Freshness Tips

• Fridge-Friendly Storage: Keep your baklava cheesecake tightly wrapped in plastic film or stored in an airtight container. Refrigeration keeps the delicate dessert fresh for up to 5 days, maintaining its rich, creamy texture and delightful flavors.
• Smart Slice Strategy: Cut individual portions before storing to make grabbing a quick treat easier. Separate slices with parchment paper to prevent sticking and preserve the beautiful layered presentation.
• Freezer Magic: This cheesecake handles freezing beautifully. Wrap each slice individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Frozen slices stay delicious for 2-3 months, offering a convenient make-ahead dessert option.
• Temperature Transition Tips: When ready to enjoy frozen cheesecake, transfer slices to the refrigerator 4-6 hours before serving. Slow thawing helps maintain the original texture and prevents moisture buildup, ensuring your dessert tastes freshly made.

Sweet Baklava Cheesecake Recipe

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4.7 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 8 hours (includes cooling and chilling time)
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Greek-inspired baklava cheesecake blends Mediterranean flavors with creamy dessert traditions. Honey-drizzled phyllo layers and rich cream cheese create a luxurious treat you’ll crave after one delightful bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (453.5 grams) phyllo pastry
• 2 cups (16 oz, 453 grams) cream cheese, room temperature
• ¾ cup (6 oz, 170 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ¾ cup (7.8 oz, 221 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (4.4 oz, 125 grams) finely chopped pistachios and pecans
• ¾ cup finely chopped pistachios and pecans
• 1 tsp cinnamon powder
• ½ tsp cinnamon powder
• ⅓ cup honey
• ½ cup honey
• ⅓ cup (2.33 oz, 66 grams) white sugar
• ¼ cup water
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• ¾ cup (3.37 oz, 95.54 grams) powdered sugar
• 4 oz (½ cup, 113 grams) melted butter, cooled
• ¼ cup sour cream
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tsps vanilla extract
• 1 large egg
• 1 large egg yolk

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Instructions

1. Syrup Creation: Gently simmer sugar, lemon juice, water, and honey in a saucepan over medium heat for 3 minutes, stirring consistently. Remove from heat and cool naturally.
2. Nutty Base Preparation: Cream butter in a mixer, gradually adding powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Incorporate flour until a cohesive dough forms, then fold in chopped pistachios and pecans. Press the mixture into a greased springform pan, covering bottom and sides completely. Chill in the freezer to set firmly.
3. Phyllo Layer Construction: Thaw phyllo dough according to package instructions. Mix crushed nuts with cinnamon. Cut phyllo sheets into precise circles matching the pan’s dimensions. Layer sheets strategically, brushing each with melted butter and sprinkling nut mixture between layers. Assemble approximately 40 sheets, creating a complex layered structure. Freeze for 30 minutes, then delicately score into 8 wedges without fully separating.
4. Cheesecake Mixture: Preheat oven to 350°F. Beat cream cheese until fluffy, incorporating honey, sour cream, eggs, vanilla, and cinnamon until silky smooth. Pour the mixture into the chilled crust and artfully position the prepared baklava topping across the surface.
5. Baking and Finishing: Bake for 60-80 minutes, monitoring heat to prevent excessive browning. Cool for 5 minutes, then cascade the prepared syrup over the entire dessert. Refrigerate for a minimum of 6 hours to allow flavors to meld and texture to set perfectly before serving.

Notes

• Butter Crust Tip: Ensure butter is precisely softened at room temperature for smooth mixing, preventing lumpy dough texture.
• Phyllo Handling Strategy: Work quickly with phyllo sheets, covering unused sheets with damp cloth to prevent drying and cracking.
• Syrup Cooling Technique: Let syrup cool completely before drizzling over cheesecake to prevent soggy or melted surface.
• Baking Temperature Control: Watch cheesecake closely during final baking stage, using aluminum foil tent if edges brown too rapidly to maintain perfect golden color.

• Prep Time: 1 hour
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Middle Eastern

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 360
• Sugar: 25 g
• Sodium: 120 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 45 mg