Treat Yourself To This Insanely Easy Vegan Baklava Recipe

Jan 23, 2023

If you've had occasion to enjoy delicious Mediterranean cuisine, you've likely come across (and subsequently devoured) baklava. This Greek and Middle Eastern dessert is comprised of countless thin layers of soft butter piled in between crisp Phyllo dough (kind of like croissant layers), then infused with honey, cinnamon, and nuts to make every single bite feel like heaven. This baklava recipe takes that classic dessert and puts a vegan twist on it, with minimal prepping and baking to make every step super easy. That way you can enjoy baklava no matter where you are, and it still tastes amazing! Once your bake is finished, pair it with some hot tea, coffee, or vanilla ice cream. Let's dig in!

What Is Baklava?

Baklava is a mouthwatering dessert of layered golden Phyllo sheets, with a drizzle of sugar syrup and a filling of cinnamon-scented crushed nuts. After the baklava is baked, the syrup is drizzled over it for the phyllo to absorb. This dessert can be too sweet for some people, but if you make a syrup with high-quality ingredients, then you will experience the brilliant crunchiness of this delicious dessert.

The iconic Arabic baklava recipe uses a pistachio filling, but there are many variations. Other fillings include hazelnuts, walnuts, or a combination of nuts.

The best thing about this easy vegan baklava recipe is how long it can be stored at room temperature or in the freezer. At room temperature, a batch of baklava can be stored for a week. In the fridge, baklava Desserts don’t go bad for at least 2 weeks. However, for people who love the crunchy texture, preparing fresh baklava is a good option. Storing it will deteriorate its texture and the dough will be dry.

How Do I Make Baklava Vegan?

With more and more people going vegan, it is only natural to design a recipe using vegan ingredients that is as delicious as the original one. Traditionally, the recipe for baklava uses honey and butter.

The phyllo dough is already vegan because it does not include any eggs or dairy. For a vegan Baklava, there are only two changes needed:

Use plant-based butter instead of dairy-based butter.
Use agave syrup or maple syrup instead of honey.

Vegan Baklava Recipe Ingredients

For the filling:

1 pound (455g) walnuts
¼ cup (50g) sugar
2 tablespoons (60g) ground cinnamon

For the pastry:

½ cup (161g) maple syrup
½ cup (100g) sugar
1 cup (236g) water
16 ounces Phyllo dough, thawed
16 tablespoons (224g) plant-based butter, melted, 2 sticks

How To Prepare Your Vegan Baklava

Preheat the oven to 375 F. Place the water and sugar in a small saucepan over low to medium heat. Stir occasionally until the sugar is dissolved and the liquid is clear. Add maple syrup. Stir and bring to a boil. Lower heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Then remove from heat and set aside to cool.
Place the walnuts, sugar, and cinnamon in a food processor. Pulse 10 - 12 times until the walnuts break into smaller pieces.
Brush the bottom and sides of your baking dish with melted plant-based butter. Place your baking dish on top of the phyllo dough and cut the pastry to fit neatly into the dish. Stack roughly 15 sheets of dough in the baking dish and spread with ⅓ of the nut mixture. Place 10 more sheets and another ⅓. Repeat one last time to create three layers. Top with the remaining sheets of phyllo dough.
Using a sharp knife pointed straight down, cut 5 straight rows. Turn the dish ¼ and cut 9 diagonal rows to create the diamond shape. Pour the melted plant-based butter over the top. Move the baking dish around to evenly distribute the butter. Let stand for five minutes. Then place into the oven for 40 - 45 minutes or until golden brown.
Remove the baklava from the oven and immediately pour the cooled maple syrup mixture over the top. The baklava will sizzle. This is desired. Cover and cool to room temperature before serving. I let mine sit out overnight.

Notes For Making This Vegan Baklava Recipe

Make-Ahead Instructions:After preparing baklava, you will need to cool it down till it reaches room temperature. Cut it into individual pieces and place them in a container. Store ahead on the counter for one week or in the refrigerator for 2 weeks.

Freezer Instructions: That’s the grace of this delicious recipe. You can make it ahead of time and freeze this Lebanese Baklava for a maximum of 3 months. However, you will need to place the baklava in a freezer-safe ziplock bag or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. Once wrapped, I recommend placing it in a freezer-safe storage container. This will prevent anything from bumping into it and cracking the delicate sheets. Before serving, make sure you thaw it at room temperature.

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Recipe and images used with permission, via Sinful Kitchen.

This Is Not A Drill: Costco’s Heart-Shaped Ravioli Is Back!

Got an at-home Valentine’s Day dinner planned this year? Costco’s totally got you covered with the return of one of their beloved heart-shaped items. It’s the perfect product to snag for all of your V-Day feasting needs, whether you do have a dinner on the calendar or you just want something cute and spirited to munch on throughout the season.

Scroll on to discover the $11 Costco Valentine's Day item that shoppers are saying is “so cute and festive!”

@costco.so.obsessed

It’s true: Costco’s heart-shaped ravioli has returned! The pasta, crafted by Nuovo Pasta, features a blend of four different cheeses. Creamy ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, and aged asiago get stuffed into heart-shaped pockets of pasta, and it’s truly so delicious.

The Nuovo Pasta Italian Four Cheese Ravioli comes complete with two different colored pastas – red and white – in each package to directly channel the Valentine’s Day spirit.

Nuovo Pasta

The heart-shaped Italian Four Cheese Raviolis cook in just 4 minutes but look fancy as ever – a combo I adore when it comes to making meals for special occasions like V-Day.

I definitely want to grab at least 5 packages to make throughout the year, too. They’re just too cute!

Reddit

Costco fan account, @costco.so.obsessed, recently shared the return of the heart-shaped raviolis with their followers, and Costco fans are already sounding off about seeing them on shelves.

“So cute and festive,” one person commented.

“We ❤️ these!” another user said.

“I know y’all gonna go crazy [with] this one 😂,” someone else noted. So true, so true.

Nuovo Pasta

This perfect V-Day meal option goes for just $10.69, and that gets you a whopping 2 pounds of pasta.

Since the ravioli flavor is just cheese, I could definitely see it working well with every kind of pasta sauce, from a rich marinara to a creamy Alfredo. Pick up a nice bottle of wine, and your dinner plans are complete!

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10 Ways Your Home Office Design Is Killing Your Productivity

I've been working from home since long before it became the norm. And my "office" has evolved from a spindled-back chair at the kitchen table to an airy home office with a view. Back then, my productivity took a hit without essentials like adequate storage space, comfortable seating, and a bit of privacy. While it has its perks, working from home comes with its fair share of challenges; your home office setup doesn't need to be one of them.

Here are 10 ways to redesign your home office for better productivity!

Caio

1. Bad Lighting

Dim or harsh overhead lighting can strain your eyes and limit your focus. Try to get close to a window for natural light or use daylight bulbs to mimic sunlight to boost your mood, creativity, and focus. Find a desk lamp that works for you too!

Ella Jardim

2. Clutter Everywhere

A cluttered desk equals a cluttered mind, IMO. Reduce the stress that comes with a disorganized and cluttered desk by bringing in shelves and organizers; finding sleek cable-management solutions; and removing any unnecessary items to reduce visual distractions.

Vlada Karpovich

3. Uncomfortable Furniture

If you're sitting most of the day, it's so important to invest in a good desk chair. An unsupportive chair or poorly sized desk can be uncomfortable, making it harder to stay focused for long periods of time. Your back will thank you!

Ketut Subiyanto

4. No Boundaries Between Work and Home

Distractions at home like kids and partners can kill your productivity. Avoid blurring the line between work and home life by designating a private space, separate from high-traffic spaces, for your work hours if you can. Use rugs, curtains, or acoustic panels to reduce noise too.

Mizuno K

5. Lack of Storage

I get it, they're not the best-looking pieces in your home, but without proper filing systems you’ll waste time hunting for important documents or supplies. Invest in modern storage options that look good too from Mustard Made and The Container Store.

Vlada Karpovich

6. Unoptimized Tech Setup

Slow Internet or outdated tech tools can make you feel totally frustrated and can slow down your productivity. Upgrade your Internet to a faster connection, and refresh your tech gadgets and programs to make sure you work more efficiently.

Ivan Samkov

7. Awkward Desk Placement

Placing your desk in a spot with too much noise, traffic, or distractions — like facing a TV — will guarantee to disrupt your concentration. Find a more zen spot where you can focus on the tasks of the day.

Anna Shvets

8. Ignoring Ergonomics

Check your monitor height, keyboard positioning, and add a wrist rest so you don't lead to feeling uncomfortable and fatigued, cutting your workday short.

Mikhail Nilov

9. Lack of Personalization

A sterile, uninspiring office design does your motivation and creativity no favors. Make work feel less like a chore by adding personal touches through artwork, personal photos, candles, some fresh flowers or plants. Greenery can improve air quality and actually reduce work stress. Add a little snack station for quick energy boosts and keep water handy. Also, your Zoom backgrounds should reflect your personality!

Serpstat

10. No Inspiration

No matter what you do — whether it's a creative work or something more analytical — you want to feel inspired. Personalization can help, but dive into vision boards, books, magazines, quotes that inspire your work and help you bring fresh ideas to your workday. Color psychology can help too: blues and greens encourage focus and reduce stress while pops of yellow or orange can spark creativity! Break out the paint if needed!

Subscribe to our newsletter for more home decor ideas!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

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This Is The Best Chocolate Cake Recipe For Valentine's Day, Or Any Day

Whether you're spending Valentine's Day with your sweetie, hosting a Galentine's brunch for your gal pals, or basking in love with your fam, there's no question that a fancy dessert helps set the tone for a cozy and love-filled night in. We personally love cooking pasta recipes followed by a succulent dessert, but the menu options for Love Day run the gamut from seafood to international cuisine.

One thing that's not optional is chocolate — known to promote feelings similar to being in love or spending time with those closest to you, chocolate is one of the best flavors for Valentine's Day desserts. Combined with red wine and seasonal pear, it makes for a simply decadent treat — hence, this Red Wine Pear Cake. Trust us: This is going to be the best chocolate cake recipe you have ever tried.

Learn how to make the best Chocolate Cake ever

Red Wine Pear Cake With Chocolate Ganache

Sarah Anderson

Ingredients:

Pears

3-4 firm Bosc pears
1 cup water
1 1/2 cups red wine
1 teaspoon cinnamon
3-4 whole cloves or 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

Cake

2 eggs
1/2 full-fat coconut milk
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
11 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 1/2 cups coconut sugar
1/2 cup red wine
1/2 teaspoon pink salt
1/2 cup 85% dark chocolate chips or bar broken into small pieces
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1 cup gluten-free or regular all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda

Ganache

2/3 cup dark chocolate chips
1/3 cup full-fat coconut milk or heavy whipping cream
2 tablespoons reserved spiced wine (see recipe notes)

Sarah Anderson

Directions:

Peel the skin off the pears and remove the stems, seeds, and core. Slice in half. Add water, red wine, cinnamon, and cloves into a saucepan and place the pears in the liquid. Bring the wine mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Let simmer for 20 minutes, until the pears are tender. Remove the pears from red wine and let cool. Continue simmering until sauce is reduced, and reserve 2 tablespoons for the chocolate ganache.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Grease two 9-inch springform cake pans with butter or oil and set aside.
Whisk two eggs in a separate bowl and set aside.
In a small bowl, add the coconut milk and apple cider vinegar and whisk thoroughly. Let sit for at least 5 minutes.
In a separate saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Whisk in the coconut sugar then remove from heat and add in the red wine and salt until well mixed. Quickly add in the dark chocolate pieces and stir constantly until the chocolate is melted. Pour the vanilla extract in and whisk again.
Add about one third of the chocolate mixture to the whisked eggs. Mix thoroughly and then pour back into a mixing bowl with the rest of the chocolate mixture.
Add in coconut milk mixture, cocoa powder, flour, baking powder, and baking soda, and mix until well combined.
Pour the cake batter into two greased cake pans.
Slice wine-poached pear halves in quarters and place in your desired design on top of the cake batter in the cake pans.
Bake the cakes for 20-30 minutes.
While cakes are baking, add the dark chocolate and coconut milk or heavy cream to a small saucepan. Heat on low until the chocolate is melted, whisking so that it is well mixed. Add in the reserved wine sauce and whisk again. Remove from heat and set aside.
Remove the cakes from the oven and let them cool completely before removing them from the springform pans. Place one cake on a cake platter or stand, and drizzle some chocolate ganache on top. Then place the second cake on top of the first and pour the remaining chocolate ganache over the top.

If this is the best chocolate cake recipe you've ever tried, you'll want to sign up for our newsletter for more recipes like this one!

Recipe by Sarah Anderson

This post has been updated.

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Spencer Pratt & Heidi Montag Break Down In Tears About “Life Changing” Public Support After $2.5 Million Home Burned Down

The world watched as the devastating L.A. fires swept away home after home last week — including reality TV icons Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt's. To say it was heartbreaking for the L.A. community would be a gross understatement, and these two have been very open about the toll it's taken on their family. In an interview with Good Morning America, the couple opened up to share about their experience — and share the incredible way friends and fans have come together to support them.

Looking for ways to help L.A. after the devastating fires? Here's a very helpful list of resources you can donate to!

Here's how fans are helping Spencer Pratt & Heidi Montag after the L.A. fires

www.youtube.com

- YouTube

Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt joined Good Morning Americaon January 15, 2025 to talk about how the L.A. fires continue to impact them. The couple shared what it was like having to quickly leave their home in a moment's notice. Heidi explained that Spencer told her to grab anything she wanted to keep, so she ended up grabbing her kids' teddy bears because she was so flustered.

When their $2.5 million home actually caught fire, Spencer got choked up talking about watching their kids' rooms burn on their cameras. He said, "Our son’s bed started just burning in the shape of a heart. The fire started in the shape of a heart. I was like, ‘This is like, out of body insane.’"

Outside of that, the couple detailed the loss beyond the material items of it all. Spencer opened up about the memories lost throughout it all, too. He said, “I feel like a ghost. I don’t have a single photo now from before an iPhone existed. I don’t have any of the dumb little things that are on your shelves in your parents’ they’re all gone. Not a single nothing.”

And to Heidi, their home was more than a physical place to live. She shared, “It’s a place that you love that you live, it’s a refuge from the world. And to have that be gone, it’s a really difficult concept to continue to daily deal with."

www.youtube.com

- YouTube

In the midst of the devastation, fans and friends have banded together to support Heidi and Spencer in a really unique way. After Spencer posted on TikTok that people should stream Heidi's 2010 album Superficial, so they can generate revenue to rebuild their lives with, people took that and ran with it. The song eventually hit #1 on iTunes, and Spencer even shared that there's potential for it to hit Billboard's Hot 100 Dance Chart, too.

And it's not just fans blasting this throwback song. Friends and fellow celebrities like Paris Hilton and Flava Flav both posted the song on TikTok. Plus, former The Hills co-stars shared the song as well, including Brody Jenner, Kristin Cavallari, and Audrina Patridge.

Heidi said, “The fan support has been such a light in such a darkness for us. It’s life-changing.”

We're sending love to Heidi and Spencer — and all the families impacted by the terrible L.A. fires this year.

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OMG, Netflix Just Confirmed The ‘You’ Season 5 Release Date (With New Video)

Joe Goldberg (Penn Badgley) is back for another season of snooping and stalking in New York City, and thanks to the new You season 5 teaser, we know exactly when this new TV show is returning. In addition to showing us characters from the past like Guinevere Beck (Elizabeth Lail), Love Quinn (Victoria Pedretti), and Marienne Bellamy (Tati Gabrielle), Joe straight-up says goodbye to the one person who's always been there: you. Yep, Netflix went there.

“Every season they manage to find new space to make it interesting and relevant,” Penn Badgley told Tudum. “And this season, I think somehow coming back to where it started allowed for it to just become grounded in the way that it needs to also have this kind of spectacular finish.”

Here's a breakdown of that brand new You season 5 teaser.

"Hello, you. Do you remember me? Cause I remember you," Joe asks in the You season 5 teaser, over shots of New York City and Mooney's Books. "Here we are together again, back to where it began."

"A lot has happened these many years together," he continues. "Identities, cities, loves, complications." The trailer is a walk down memory lane for viewers and for Joe as he remembers Beck, Love, and Marienne — and locking them up. Plus some fights and escapes he made along the way.

"All that led me here to now, to where I as always meant to be," he says. "And the one constant, the one thing that has always been there for me, is you. You who have been there the whole time and will be there with me to the end. Goodbye, you."

Okay, this is totally giving me Black Mirror, metaverse vibes, especially since Joe's in his creepy underground bunker with all that blue lighting. I have chills down my spine just watching this!

Is season 5 of You coming out?

Yes, You season 5 is dropping on Netflix April 24, 2025.

We've been waiting for new episodes since season 4 premiered in 2023, but the writers and stars have been planning Joe's ending for much longer. "We have some ideas that we've been talking about pretty much from the beginning," Sera Gamble told EW when she was showrunner in 2023. "It's really the debate about what kind of justice would be fair and appropriate for a guy like Joe. And then do we believe that he would get that kind of punishment? My short answer is like, maybe not from the American system. But there might be other ways. So that's the stuff we're talking about."

But whatever these writers and directors have up their sleeves, Penn Badgley promises You season 5 will come to a "perfect" conclusion. “I would love for people to just be like, ‘Wow, it’s over and I feel good and I don’t want to watch it again,'" he told Harper's Bazaarin March of 2023. And honestly, a perfect ending is all TV fans can hope for these days, right?

Who's in the You season 5 cast?

The final season of You stars Penn Badgley, Madeline Brewer, Anna Camp, Charlotte Richie, and Griffin Matthews.

Are you excited for the final season of You? I cannot wait to see the way Penn Badgley and Netflix bring the show to a close. Follow us on Facebook for the latest You season 5 news — and updates on all your favorite TV shows!

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