Description
Delectable honey pistachio baklava cheesecake bridges Mediterranean dessert traditions with creamy American cheesecake brilliance. Layers of flaky phyllo, sweet honey, and rich cream cheese create an irresistible fusion that will delight your senses.
Ingredients
Scale
Nuts and Base Ingredients:
- 1 cup roasted walnuts
- 1 cup roasted almonds
- 1 cup shelled pistachios (unsalted), coarsely chopped
- 10 sheets phyllo pastry (thawed)
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) melted butter
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Butter and Dairy Ingredients:
- 2 sticks (226 grams) unsalted butter, melted
- 500 grams cream cheese (room temperature)
- 250 grams strained Greek yogurt (or sour cream)
Sweeteners, Spices, and Liquid Ingredients:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup honey
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon corn starch
- 3 large eggs (room temperature)
- Splash of rosewater
- Additional honey for drizzling
Instructions
- Meticulously line an 8 to 10-inch springform pan with parchment paper, then warm the oven to 350°F (175°C) for optimal phyllo preparation.
- Delicately brush each phyllo sheet with melted butter, layering them carefully into the prepared pan. Trim excess edges and bake for 12 minutes until achieving a golden-brown hue.
- Create a textured nut foundation by pulsing walnuts, almonds, cinnamon, and salt in a food processor until achieving a crumbly consistency. Incorporate melted butter to bind the mixture, then evenly distribute over the baked phyllo base.
- Craft a silky cheesecake filling by blending cream cheese, sugar, salt, vanilla extract, lemon zest, lemon juice, and cornstarch until completely smooth. Gently introduce eggs one at a time, then tenderly fold in yogurt until fully integrated.
- Carefully pour the creamy filling over the nutty layer, smoothing the surface to ensure an even distribution and professional appearance.
- Position the cheesecake on the middle oven rack and bake for 45 minutes, watching for a gentle golden top. Switch off the oven, allowing the cheesecake to set internally for an additional 50 minutes, creating a luxurious, creamy texture.
- After complete cooling, enhance the dessert by drizzling a sophisticated blend of honey, lemon juice, and rosewater across the surface.
- Artfully scatter chopped pistachios over the glazed cheesecake, adding a final elegant touch of additional honey just before presenting to guests.
Notes
- Toast nuts beforehand to enhance their rich, nutty flavor and create a deeper, more complex taste profile in the dessert.
- Handle phyllo sheets carefully to prevent tearing, using a light touch and keeping them covered with a damp towel when not in use.
- Adjust honey drizzle based on sweetness preference, using less for a subtle sweetness or more for an intense caramelized finish.
- Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth, lump-free cheesecake filling and prevent potential cracking during baking.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 47 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 85mg