Walnut Baklava

Directions

1. 1
   Mix together the walnuts, sugar and cinnamon.
2. 2
   Select a pan the size of the phyllo sheets and brush well with melted butter.
3. 3
   Use 4 sheets of phyllo for the bottom layer, brushing each one with butter before adding the next, and top with a sheet of unbuttered phyllo.
4. 4
   Sprinkle with a handful of the walnut mixture.
5. 5
   Cover with a buttered sheet, an unbuttered sheet, and another sprinkling of walnuts.
6. 6
   Repeat until the ingredients are used up, reserving 5 sheets of phyllo for the top layer.
7. 7
   Brush each of the top 5 sheets with ample butter, and pour the remaining butter over the top of the last sheet.
8. 8
   Trim the edges if necessary, and cut the baklava into the traditional diamond pattern.
9. 9
   Do not cut through the bottom layer.
10. 10
    Sprinkle the top of the baklava lightly with water from your fingertips.
11. 11
    Bake in a preheated 250°F (120°C) oven for about 1 hour.
12. 12
    Remove from oven and cool.
13. 13
    For the syrup, combine the sugar and water in a large pot and boil for 5 minutes.
14. 14
    Add the honey, cinnamon stick and cloves, and boil for 5 minutes more.
15. 15
    Pour the hot syrup over the cooled baklava.
16. 16
    Do not pour over a hot baklava, it will turn soggy.
17. 17
    Cool then cut through the bottom layer of phyllo following the previous cuts.