THE DAIRY KITCHEN
Baklava Cheesecake
By THE DAIRY KITCHEN
Serves
24
Difficulty
Medium
Preparation
35 MINS
Cooking
1 HR 0 MINS
A rich syrup cheesecake studded with nuts will alwys be a hit after a middle eastern style meal. We find this cake perfect for a crowd as it is easier to cut into smaller pieces due to its rectangular shape.
Ingredients
Orange Blossom Honey Syrup
100g caster sugar150ml water
125g honey
1 cinnamon stick
20g orange blossom water
Filling
500g cream cheese, softened175g caster sugar
250g sour cream
3 eggs, lightly beaten
Assembly
9 sheets filo pastry75g butter, melted
75g walnuts, toasted and finely chopped
75g blanched almonds, toasted and finely chopped
Method
Orange Blossom Honey Syrup
- Place all ingredients except orange blossom water in a small saucepan and stir over medium heat until sugar has dissolved. Simmer for 15-20 minutes or until syrup has reduced and thickened. Discard cinnamon stick and stir in orange blossom water. Cool.
Filling
- Beat cream cheese with an electric mixer (paddle attachment) on low speed until just smooth. Add sugar and beat until combined. Add sour cream, eggs and mix until just combined. Set aside.
Assembly
- Mix 90ml of honey syrup with the walnuts and almonds to combine. Set aside.
- Layer 5 sheets of filo pastry on top of each other, brushing well between each layer with butter. Ease pastry into the base and sides of a buttered and lined 20cm x 30cm slab pan; trimming as required. Pour in half of the cheesecake batter and spoon over the half the syrup nuts; repeat again. Swirl with a butter knife to roughly mix.
- Make 2 piles of 2 sheets each with remaining filo pastry, brushing well between each layer with melted butter. Cut each pile into 8 lengthwise. Scrunch the filo pastry and place in a single layer on top of the batter to cover. Bake at 160°C for 40-45 minute or until just set. Remove from oven and drizzle with remaining syrup. Serve warm or cold.