On occasion my mum would make baklava at Christmas time. The smell of the phyllo pastry drenched in syrup sweetening a layer of crushed nuts was one that made up the holidays when I was growing up. Since it is a little bit on the expensive side to make my mum would use it as gifts for family and friends.  However I was always too little to actually learn the recipe so this past weekend my mum and I spent quality time in the kitchen making the most delicious batch of baklava. I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do.

Baklava
Ingredients
1 pound phyllo sheets
1 cup melted butter
2 cups finely chipped walnuts
1/ 2 cup sugar
1 /2 cup cinnamon
3/ 4 cup sugar
3/ 4 cup honey
1 cup water
1 tablespoon lemon juice

Directions
1. If phyllo is frozen thaw and separate according to package. Keep pastry that is not being used covered with a clean damp dishtowel (this prevents it from drying out). Place half of the pastry sheets in a greased 15×10 glass baking dish; one by one, brushing each sheet quickly all over with melted butter.
2. Combine nuts, 1 /2 cup sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle over buttered pastry. Place remaining sheets on top.
3. Score the baklava in the shape you desire (triangle or diamond). Bake at 400 degrees until brown and crisp. 20-30 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, in a saucepan, combine remaining 3/ 4 cup sugar, honey, 1 cup water and lemon juice, bring to a boil. Boil syrup for about 20 minutes, stirring constantly until it becomes thick syrup. Cool for 15 minutes and pour over baklava.