Description

Pecan Caramel Baklava Cups are a delightful twist on traditional baklava, featuring mini phyllo pastry shells filled with a spiced mixture of pecans and walnuts, baked to golden perfection and topped with luscious caramel sauce. These bite-sized desserts combine the flaky texture of phyllo with the warm flavors of cinnamon, honey, and caramel, making them perfect for serving at parties or enjoying as a sweet treat any time.

Ingredients

Scale

Phyllo Shells

1 package (15 count) mini phyllo pastry shells

Nut Filling

1 cup finely chopped pecans
1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1/4 cup honey
2 tablespoons light brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
pinch of salt

Caramel Topping

1/4 cup thick caramel sauce, plus more for drizzling

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Instructions

Preheat Oven and Prepare Shells: Preheat your oven to 350°F and arrange the mini phyllo pastry shells on a baking sheet, ensuring they are evenly spaced for uniform baking.
Mix Nut Filling: In a medium bowl, combine the finely chopped pecans and walnuts with ground cinnamon, melted unsalted butter, honey, light brown sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Stir thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated into a sticky, flavorful mixture.
Fill Phyllo Shells: Spoon the nut mixture evenly into each mini phyllo shell, filling them to the top to ensure each bite is rich and nutty.
Bake: Bake the filled phyllo shells in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the nuts are toasted and the phyllo shells turn a golden brown color, indicating they are crisp and cooked through.
Cool Slightly and Add Caramel: Remove the baklava cups from the oven and let them cool slightly on the baking sheet. Warm the caramel sauce gently if needed to make it easier to drizzle.
Top with Caramel: Spoon about one teaspoon of the caramel sauce over each baked phyllo cup, then drizzle additional caramel on top for extra sweetness and a glossy finish.
Serve: Serve the pecan caramel baklava cups warm or at room temperature, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully for a crowd-pleasing dessert.

Notes

You can prepare these baklava cups ahead of time and store them in an airtight container for up to 2 days without losing their texture or flavor.
For an even crunchier texture, toast the nuts lightly before mixing them with the other ingredients.
Add a little orange zest or sprinkle sea salt over the caramel topping to enhance the flavor with a citrusy or savory twist.