Description
Delicious Pistachio Baklava Cheesecake Bars combining the rich flavors of baklava and creamy cheesecake.
Ingredients
- 10 sheets phyllo dough, thawed
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup pistachios, finely chopped
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ½ cup honey
- ¼ cup water
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the pan: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
- Build the baklava base: Place one sheet of phyllo in the pan and brush lightly with melted butter. Repeat with 5 sheets, brushing each layer with butter.
- Add pistachios: Mix the chopped pistachios with cinnamon and sprinkle evenly over the phyllo.
- Finish the base: Layer the remaining phyllo sheets on top, brushing each generously with melted butter.
- Make the cheesecake filling: Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla, sour cream, and flour until just combined.
- Add the cheesecake layer: Pour the cheesecake mixture over the prepared phyllo and smooth the top.
- Bake: Bake for 35–45 minutes, until the cheesecake is set around the edges and slightly soft in the center.
- Make the syrup: While the cheesecake bakes, combine honey, water, sugar, and lemon juice in a small saucepan. Simmer for 3–5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
- Finish: Let the cheesecake cool for about 10 minutes, then drizzle the warm honey syrup over the top. Sprinkle with additional chopped pistachios.
- Chill and slice: Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight. Lift from the pan, slice into bars, and serve chilled.
Notes
- For best results, allow the cheesecake to chill overnight.
- Feel free to adjust the sweetness of the honey syrup to your taste.
- Additional toppings can include whipped cream or more chopped pistachios.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 50mg