Apple Baklava Bites

Apple Baklava Bites

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 extract

pinch - 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.