I go to Italy on Tuesday! AHHH!! I’m so excited. But also there’s, like, that crazy panic that ensues when you’re going to be gone for a long time. I’m feverishly trying to meet a bunch of deadlines I have. And I’m also trying to wash clothes and make sure I have enough underwear and socks for eight whole days. I also wanna look kinda cute but haven’t had the time or energy to go shopping or do any of that. I KNOW, LIFE IS HARD!
I’m also super excited about Fenty Beauty. I’m going to try and find some time this weekend to head to Sephora to get some stuff for my trip. I’m super excited to try out the tones of the foundations because the shade range is huge! I think that’s rad. And no one is a bigger badgirlriri fan than meeeeee!
Let’s talk about this baklava now because it’s SO GOOD.
When I first moved to LA, my friend Setu took me to this place and she forced me to order her new obsession—this milk and honey milkshake. It was so long ago and yet I remember them vividly. I was thinking the other day, why aren’t there more milk and honey things because the combo is so soothing and delicious.
I thought pouring this combo over baklava and letting it soak in and do its thing would be super fall-like and delicious.
It took me a few times to get this baklava right because my first go around was a hot mess. I was shy about adding all of the syrup because it seemed like too much but I quickly found out that it definitely needs it. Just like a tres leches cake, it soaks it all up and if not added, it tastes try and too crispy.
The filling combo of walnuts and pistachios is so good. I love the softness from the walnuts and the crunchiness from the pistachios.
I asked a few months ago, but if you have any recommendations for Bologna, Modena and Milan, send them my way in the comments below!! I CAN’T WAIT TO VISIT.

Milk + Honey Baklava
PrintIngredients
Clarified Butter:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cubed (this can be a rough cube, ain't got to be perfect)
Baklava:
- 1 cup walnuts
- 1 cup 1/2 cup pistachios
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 pound phyllo
Syrup:
- 3/4 cup sweetened condensed milk
- 1/4 cup boiling water
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
Equipment:
- I used a 9x13-inch/quarter baking sheet. You can also use a baking dish or even a round cake pan (but you’ll have to cut the phyllo dough to shape).
Clarified Butter:
- In a small saucepan, set over medium-low heat, add the butter. When the butter has melted it will begin to bubble and the milk solids will rise to the top. Using a spoon, skim the top of the melted butter and discard the milk solids. Run the butter through a small sieve or a cheese cloth to remove any excess milk solids. We want to do this so the butter doesn’t burn in the oven. Set the warm butter to the side.
To Make the Baklava:
- My phyllo dough came in a 1 pound box. I used a pair of scissors and cut my phyllo dough in half (1/2 pound). (I saved the other half in the freezer for another time.)
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a food processor, add the walnuts, pistachios, cinnamon and salt. Pulse until very ground, about 1 minute.
- Next, grab a clean kitchen towel and dampen it, being sure to wring out any excess water. Place it over the thawed phyllo dough as you assemble the baklava. (Phyllo dough tends to dry out very quickly and assembling the baklava takes a bit of time. The damp kitchen towel will help with this.)
- Brush the first sheet of phyllo dough with melted butter and transfer it, buttered-side down, into the baking dish. Add a teaspoon or two of the walnut mixture. Repeat by buttering a sheet of phyllo dough and then spreading a teaspoon or two of walnut mixture. Continue until you’ve worked through the phyllo dough/filling.
- Using a sharp knife, slice the baklava into 1-inch diamonds or squares. Transfer to the oven to bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the top is lightly golden brown and crisp.
To Make the Syrup:
- While the baklava is baking, let's make the syrup! In a measuring cup, whisk together the sweetened condensed milk, hot water, honey and vanilla extract.
- When the baklava comes out of the oven, drizzle the syrup on top. Allow it to sit for 1-3 hours so it has a chance to marinate! Serve.
26 Comments
oooh have an awesome time in italy!! also, definitely think of that poetry book that everyone seems to love, which is also called “milk and honey” (which i always confuse with the actual ingredients when someone references it). anyways, this sounds delicious, and yessss to using all of the soak!
oh yes I love her work! rupi kahur! she’s amazing.
Italy! Wow! Have so much fun!! Baklava was always intimidated me, maybe I’ll try it this time! I’m allergic to walnuts so I’ll probably sub pecans 🙂
Thank you! And yes, pecans would be delicious!
This looks really yummy!! I don’t see butter in the ingredient list but the first step is clarifying butter. How much?
Sorry about that, just added it!
Yum! I love flaky, sticky baklava!
Kari
http://sweetteasweetie.com
If you can, take a food tour that covers Parma & Modena. My sister and I took one from a local & we got to see how parmesan cheese & balsamic vinegar are made from family run places. We would’ve gone to a parma ham producer, but my sister is a vegetarian. We also took the train on a day trip to Ravenna & saw all of the amazing Byzantium style mosaics. Bologna is fun to wander around, eat fresh tortellini al brodo & climb hundreds of stairs up towers (for a good view of the city)! Not to mention the shopping. Lol.
Oooo…that sounds amazing. Ahh a day trip to Ravenna sounds dope. Thanks so much! Also, yas to the tortellini al brodo. And the shopping.
I’m obsessed with the Netflix Original Series “Chef’s Table” and the very first episode is about Massimo Bottura’s restaurant in Modena. It’s called Osteria Francescana and it may be impossible to get in (it’s also very pricey) but it looks incredible if you get the chance to stop by! Enjoy your trip 🙂
Ahhh yes! So we’re on the waitlist for lunch or dinner so not sure if we’ll get in! I love that episode! xo
We came back from lake Como and Millan last week.Millan is fantastic!
Piazza GAE AULENTI.look up and see the buildings “BOSCO VERTICALE” by the architect STEFANO BUARI.
Via Corso Como designer stores.Zaini-Chocolate factory.Via Carlo de cristoforis 5.
PIAZZA GARIBALDI .High-Tech shop Must.
Piazza xxv aprile 12
PAVE’ the faimous coffe shop.
SPONTINI -pizza
LUINI -donut.salty donut; long line..
EATALY -FOOD.piazza venticinque aprile 10
Great building- FELTRINELLI on the fs. Floor nice
Book ad. Coffe shop
PRInCI -faimous baikery near the DUOMO
VIA SPERONE.
Have a great time !
THESE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE GOLD! Thank you! I love the architecture recommendations. I mostly have received food recs and while I obviously love food, I wanna see and experience more things like this. Thank you! xoxo
These look amazing! Love their shapes
[…] Milch und Honig Baklava klingt genau das, was ich essen möchte. […]
[…] milk and honey baklava sounds like exactly what i want to eat. […]
In Milan Bianco Latte has amazing gelato, great coffee and gorgeous cakes. It’s a firm family favourite
http://www.biancolatte.it/
Dry Milan for pizza and cocktails
In Bologna don’t miss the university, its the oldest in the world and the history there is incredible
Have an amazing trip
Definitely go to Osteria Ermes in Modena. It is only open for lunch and you need to get there early but it is an amazing experience! The best meal that I had in Italy and I also went to Osteria Francescana in Modena!
making this for rosh hashana….thanks
I never thought of baking Baklava myself, though it would complicated. Will have to try!
making this for rosh hashana….thanks
so really, only one teaspoon or two of filling per layer?
hopefully you’ll respond asap since i’m about to make this in half an hour.
thanks
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Where did you go to find phyllo dough in LA? Could I find it in my local Whole Foods/Trader Joe’s/Gelson’s or do I need to visit a specialty food store?
All grocery stores should have it. Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s and Gelsons will all have it 🙂
Hi I am excited to try this! How long does it keep in an airtight container? Should it be refrigerated because of the condensed milk?