1. Prepare the Nut Filling

To begin making your Mini Baklava, start by preparing the nut filling. In a large bowl, combine the mixed nuts, ground cinnamon, and granulated sugar. You can use a combination of walnuts, pistachios, almonds, or any other nuts you prefer, but walnuts and pistachios are the most common choices for baklava. Mix everything together until the ingredients are evenly distributed. Set the bowl aside.

The cinnamon adds a warm, aromatic touch to the filling, complementing the rich flavor of the nuts. If you’d like to experiment with additional spices, a pinch of ground cardamom or nutmeg can be a fun variation.

2. Prepare the Phyllo Dough

Next, get your phyllo dough ready. Phyllo dough can be a bit delicate, so be sure to handle it carefully. Unroll the thawed phyllo dough and cover it with a damp kitchen towel to prevent it from drying out while you work with it.

Using a sharp knife, cut the phyllo dough sheets into smaller squares or rectangles, depending on the size of your mini baklava. You can also choose to cut the dough into circles using a cookie cutter for a more uniform and visually pleasing shape. The dough should fit into the mini muffin cups you’re using.

3. Assemble the Mini Baklava

Now, it’s time to start assembling the Mini Baklava. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a mini muffin tin by lightly greasing it with butter or cooking spray.

Take one sheet of phyllo dough and brush it generously with the melted butter. Place it into one of the muffin tin cups. Repeat the process, layering 4-5 sheets of buttered phyllo dough in each muffin cup, creating a solid, layered base.

Once you’ve added the layers of phyllo dough, add a small spoonful of the nut filling (about 1-2 teaspoons) on top of the dough. Press down lightly to make sure the filling sticks. Continue layering with 2-3 more sheets of buttered phyllo dough, adding another small spoonful of the nut mixture, and repeating the process until the muffin tin cups are filled.

When finished, each muffin cup should be filled with several layers of phyllo dough and a hearty amount of nut filling, all topped off with layers of phyllo dough.

4. Bake the Mini Baklava

Place the mini muffin tin into the preheated oven and bake the Mini Baklava for 30-40 minutes, or until the phyllo dough is golden brown and crispy. Keep an eye on the baklava as it bakes, and rotate the tin halfway through to ensure even baking.

The phyllo dough should become beautifully crisp and flaky, while the nuts inside soften and meld together. The key is to bake them until they are perfectly golden, as overbaking can cause the dough to become too hard or burnt.

5. Prepare the Syrup

While the baklava is baking, you can prepare the syrup. In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar, water, and honey. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar. Once it reaches a boil, reduce the heat and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly. If you’d like, you can add a strip of lemon peel and a teaspoon of lemon juice for added flavor and freshness.

Remove the syrup from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Set it aside to cool slightly while the baklava bakes.

6. Soak the Mini Baklava

Once the Mini Baklava is golden brown and crisp, remove it from the oven and allow it to cool for about 5 minutes. Then, using a spoon or small ladle, drizzle the warm syrup evenly over the baklava, making sure to cover each piece completely. The syrup will soak into the layers of phyllo dough, creating the signature sticky, sweet finish.

Let the baklava cool for another 15-20 minutes, allowing the syrup to absorb fully. As it cools, the syrup will crystallize slightly, giving the baklava that perfect balance of sweetness and texture.

7. Serve the Mini Baklava

Once the Mini Baklava has cooled and absorbed the syrup, it’s ready to serve. Gently remove each piece from the muffin tin and transfer them to a serving platter. Garnish with finely chopped pistachios or walnuts if desired, for a decorative touch and extra flavor.