If you adore the rich, nutty, and honey-kissed flavors of traditional baklava but crave a hand-held, buttery treat, this Baklava Cookies Recipe is exactly what you need. These bite-sized delights impress with their crisp almond and coconut flour base, a warmly spiced nut filling, and a drizzle of fragrant syrup that brings everything together beautifully. They’re perfect for sharing with friends or sneaking one (or three) when you need a quick, satisfying indulgence.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Baklava Cookies Recipe uses simple yet thoughtfully combined ingredients that create layers of flavor and texture. Each item plays a crucial role, whether it’s lending tenderness to the dough, crunch to the filling, or that signature sticky sweetness with a hint of citrus and spice.
- Cream cheese: Softened for a creamy, tender dough that melts in your mouth.
- Butter: Adds richness and helps create a flaky texture.
- Almond flour: Provides a subtle nuttiness and a tender crumb.
- Coconut flour: Absorbs moisture and adds a subtle tropical aroma.
- Ground golden flax (or almond flour): Boosts the dough’s body and binds it nicely.
- Egg yolk: Binds the dough while enriching its flavor.
- Chopped nuts (walnuts & pistachios): The heart of the filling, offering crunch and a warm, earthy flavor.
- Cinnamon: Infuses the nut filling and syrup with aromatic warmth.
- Joy Filled Eats Sweetener (or alternatives): Sweetens the syrup for that classic sticky finish without overpowering the nuts.
- Water: Helps dissolve the sweetener for the perfect syrup consistency.
- Lemon zest: Brightens the syrup with fresh citrus notes.
- Cinnamon stick: Adds depth to the syrup’s spiced character.
- Honey (optional): Adds authentic baklava sweetness and a subtle floral hint.
How to Make Baklava Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F and generously greasing a mini muffin tin or lining it with aluminum liners. In a medium bowl, combine softened cream cheese, butter, almond flour, coconut flour, ground flax, and egg yolk. The soft ingredients blend effortlessly, creating a smooth, pliable dough that’s perfect for pressing into the muffin cups. Divide the dough into 24 equal pieces and press each portion into the muffin tin holes using a tart tamper, the back of a teaspoon, or your fingers. This forms the sturdy yet tender base for your baklava cookies.
Step 2: Add the Nut Filling
Mix together chopped walnuts, pistachios, and a generous sprinkle of cinnamon to create a fragrant and crunchy filling. Spoon the nut mixture evenly over each dough cup in the muffin tin, ensuring every cookie gets a perfectly balanced nut layer. Pop the tray into the oven and bake for 20 to 22 minutes until the dough edges turn a beautiful golden color, signaling that the cookie bases are crisp and set. Once baked, allow them to cool completely to room temperature for the best texture.
Step 3: Make the Citrus-Spiced Syrup
While the cookies cool, prepare the syrup by combining your sweetener, water, lemon zest, and a cinnamon stick in a small saucepan. Heat over medium-low until it just begins to simmer, then reduce the heat to low and let it gently bubble for five minutes. This infuses the syrup with bright, zesty, and warmly spiced notes. Let the syrup cool to room temperature, which helps it thicken slightly for the perfect drizzle.
Step 4: Finish with Syrup and Honey Drizzle
Drizzle the cooled syrup generously over the nut-filled cookie cups to soak their tops with sticky sweetness. For an authentic touch, add a tiny spoonful of honey — about 1/8 teaspoon per cookie — if you want that subtle floral essence reminiscent of traditional baklava. Carefully remove the cookies from the muffin tin and prepare to enjoy this irresistible treat!
How to Serve Baklava Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
To elevate presentation and add a pop of color, sprinkle extra finely chopped pistachios or a dusting of ground cinnamon over the syrup-soaked cookies right before serving. A small drizzle of melted dark chocolate can also add a delightful contrast for those who love an adventurous twist on classic baklava flavors.
Side Dishes
These baklava cookies pair beautifully with a cup of strong, freshly brewed coffee or a fragrant cup of spiced tea, enhancing their warm flavors. For gatherings, serve alongside a platter of fresh fruit or a scoop of vanilla ice cream to balance the richness of the cookie with light, refreshing notes.
Creative Ways to Present
Why not serve your baklava cookies on a rustic wooden board lined with parchment paper for a cozy, inviting look? Or arrange them in a circular pattern on a decorative plate, garnished with fresh mint leaves and edible flowers for an elegant touch that’s perfect for special occasions or afternoon tea.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
You can store any leftover baklava cookies in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge for up to a week. The cookies maintain their crispy texture and nutty flavor, making them a fantastic treat to enjoy throughout the week without losing their charm.
Freezing
If you want to keep these cookies fresh for longer, freeze them by placing them in a single layer on a baking sheet until solid before transferring them to a freezer-safe container. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw them on the counter or in the refrigerator, and they’ll be just as delightful as on day one.
Reheating
To revive that fresh-baked warmth, gently reheat your baklava cookies in a preheated oven at 300°F for about 5 to 7 minutes. This restores their crispiness without drying them out. Avoid microwaving, as it may make the cookies soggy and lose their signature texture.
FAQs
Can I use other nuts for the filling?
Absolutely! While walnuts and pistachios offer a classic flavor combination, pecans or hazelnuts can be wonderful substitutions that still deliver the satisfying crunch and warmth expected in this Baklava Cookies Recipe.
Is the honey absolutely necessary?
Honey is optional in this recipe. Though it adds authentic baklava sweetness and a lovely floral hint, the syrup alone provides plenty of sweetness. You can choose to omit it, especially if you prefer a lower-carb treat.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes! This Baklava Cookies Recipe uses almond and coconut flour, naturally making it gluten-free. Just ensure any brand of sweetener or other added ingredients are certified gluten-free if you’re highly sensitive.
What sweetener alternatives work well in the syrup?
You can use coconut sugar, maple syrup, or any sugar-free granular sweetener depending on your dietary preferences. Just keep in mind that alternatives may slightly alter the syrup’s flavor and consistency.
How long do these cookies last?
Stored properly in an airtight container, these baklava cookies stay fresh and delicious for up to a week at room temperature or in the fridge, making them a great make-ahead treat.
Final Thoughts
I wholeheartedly encourage you to try this Baklava Cookies Recipe the next time you’re craving something uniquely satisfying with layers of texture and flavor. It’s a loving twist on a beloved classic that’s just as fun to make as it is to eat. These cookies are sure to become your new go-to treat, perfect for sharing or savoring all to yourself.
Print
Baklava Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Total Time: 37 minutes
- Yield: 24 mini baklava cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
These Baklava Cookies are a delightful twist on the traditional Middle Eastern dessert, featuring a buttery, tender pastry dough filled with a fragrant nut and cinnamon mixture. Finished with a sweet, spiced syrup drizzle and an optional touch of honey, these mini cookie cups offer all the rich flavors of baklava in a perfect bite-sized treat. They are gluten-free, low-carb, and easy to make using simple ingredients and baked in a mini muffin tin.
Ingredients
Pastry Dough:
- 3 oz cream cheese, softened
- 4 oz butter, softened
- 1/3 cup almond flour
- 1/3 cup coconut flour
- 1/3 cup ground golden flax (or additional almond flour)
- 1 egg yolk
Nut Filling:
- ¾ cup chopped nuts (½ cup walnuts and ¼ cup pistachios)
- ½ tsp cinnamon
Syrup:
- ½ cup Joy Filled Eats Sweetener (or alternative sweetener)
- 1 tbsp water
- 3 one-inch pieces of lemon zest
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 3 tsp honey (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Generously spray a mini muffin tin with cooking spray or line it with aluminum mini muffin liners to prevent sticking.
- Make the Dough: In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, softened butter, almond flour, coconut flour, ground flaxseed, and egg yolk. Use a wooden spoon to mix until well combined. If the butter and cream cheese are at room temperature, the mixture will blend easily.
- Form the Cookie Cups: Divide the dough into 24 equal pieces. Press each piece firmly into each mini muffin cup using a tart tamper, the back of a teaspoon, or your fingers, creating a small cup shape.
- Prepare the Nut Filling: In a small bowl, combine the chopped walnuts, pistachios, and cinnamon. Evenly distribute this nut mixture into each dough-lined mini muffin cup.
- Bake: Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 22 minutes or until the dough is golden and set. Remove from oven and allow the cookie cups to cool to room temperature.
- Make the Syrup: While the cookies bake, combine the sweetener, water, lemon zest, and cinnamon stick in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low and let it simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and allow the syrup to cool completely to room temperature.
- Assemble and Serve: Drizzle the cooled syrup evenly over the baked cookie cups. If using honey, spoon about 1/8 teaspoon of raw, organic honey over each cookie cup to add a subtle honey flavor. Carefully remove the cookies from the muffin tin and enjoy!
Notes
- The honey is optional. Traditional baklava uses honey, but the cookies are sufficiently sweet without it. If you add honey, each cookie contains less than 1 gram of carbs from the honey.
- Storing: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature or refrigerated to maintain freshness.
- Freezing: Freeze cookies on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a container. Thaw at room temperature or in the fridge before serving.
- Substitutions: You can substitute pecans or hazelnuts for the walnuts and pistachios in the nut filling.
