Directions:
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
Butter the bottom and sides of a 9x13 inch baking pan.
Mix the chopped nuts with cinnamon and ground cloves and set aside.
Unroll the filo pastry. Cover the sheets with a damp cloth to keep them from drying out as you work.
Place two sheets of filo in the bottom of the prepared pan and brush generously with melted butter. Repeat this process until you have about eight layered sheets.
Sprinkle a thin layer of the nut mixture on top of the filo. Then layer two more sheets of filo, butter them, and sprinkle another layer of nuts. Continue this pattern until the nut mixture is used up, finishing with a layer of filo on top.
Using a sharp knife, cut the baklava into diamonds or squares. Drizzle any remaining melted butter over the top.
Bake in the preheated oven for about 50 minutes, or until the baklava is golden and crisp.
While the baklava is baking, prepare the syrup. Combine sugar, water, honey, vanilla extract, and orange zest in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Once the baklava is out of the oven and still hot, pour the syrup evenly over the top. Allow it to soak in, uncovered and at room temperature, for several hours.
Once completely cooled, re-cut the pieces following the lines you made prior to baking and serve. Enjoy your festive Christmas Baklava!
I await your comments! Enjoy!
