Description
These Sweet & Crunchy Pecan Caramel Baklava Cups offer a delightful twist on traditional baklava by featuring crisp layers of buttery phyllo dough filled with a cinnamon-spiced pecan mixture, topped with luscious caramel sauce and garnished with pistachios and whole pecans. Perfect for a party dessert or a special treat, these bite-sized cups bake up golden and crispy in just 35 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Baklava Cups
- 20 sheets phyllo dough, thawed
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
Filling
- 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans
- 1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Toppings
- 1/2 cup caramel sauce
- 2 tablespoons chopped pistachios (optional, for garnish)
- 12 whole pecans (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare muffin tin: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 12-cup muffin tin to prevent sticking.
- Prepare phyllo squares: Cut the thawed phyllo sheets into 3×3 inch squares. Keep the squares covered with a damp towel to prevent drying out as you work.
- Layer phyllo in muffin cups: Place 5 phyllo squares in each muffin cup, offsetting the squares to form a star shape. Brush each square generously with melted butter to ensure crispness and flavor.
- Make the pecan filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the chopped pecans, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and vanilla extract until well mixed.
- Fill phyllo cups: Spoon about 1 1/2 tablespoons of the pecan mixture into each phyllo cup and press down gently to compact the filling slightly.
- Bake: Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 18 to 22 minutes, or until the phyllo is golden brown and crisp.
- Cool and drizzle caramel: Allow the baklava cups to cool in the tin for 10 minutes. Then, drizzle each cup with caramel sauce for an extra layer of sweetness.
- Garnish: Sprinkle with chopped pistachios and top each cup with a whole pecan if desired, adding a beautiful crunch and presentation.
- Serve: These baklava cups can be enjoyed warm or at room temperature, making them versatile for any occasion.
- Store: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze the cups for up to one month to maintain freshness.
Notes
- Keep phyllo dough covered with a damp towel to prevent it from drying out and becoming brittle.
- Brush each layer of phyllo generously with melted butter for optimal crispness and flavor.
- Adjust cinnamon and sugar to taste, depending on desired sweetness and spice level.
- Optionally, nuts can be substituted or combined with walnuts for variation.
- Using caramel sauce as a topping adds a rich, gooey texture complementing the crunchy nuts.
- These cups freeze well, making them an excellent make-ahead dessert option.
