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Pistachio Baklava Cheesecake

Pistachio Baklava Cheesecake

Experience the delightful fusion of flavors in this Pistachio Baklava Cheesecake, featuring a rich cream cheese filling and a pistachio shortbread crust.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Cooling Time 7 hours
Total Time 8 hours 30 minutes
Course Cheesecake recipes
Cuisine American
Servings 8 slices
Calories 1124 kcal

Equipment

  • Stand Mixer
  • Sharp knife

Ingredients
  

Pistachio Shortbread Crust

  • ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened 170 grams
  • ¾ cup powdered sugar 95 grams
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 ¾ cups all purpose flour 220 grams
  • 1 cup chopped pistachios 120 grams

Pistachio Baklava

  • 14 oz store-bought filo(phyllo) dough 400 grams
  • 1 cup finely chopped pistachios 120 grams
  • cup butter, melted and cooled 75 grams

Honey Syrup

  • 3 tablespoons white sugar 45 grams
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • ¼ cup water 30 grams
  • ¼ cup honey 50 grams

Honey Cheesecake

  • 24 oz cream cheese 675 grams
  • cup honey 125 grams
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 egg yolk
  • ½ cup sour cream 120 grams, 15-20% fat
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Instructions
 

Pistachio Shortbread Crust

  • Line the bottom of an 8-inch (20 cm) pan with foil, and grease the walls with coconut oil or butter. Keep aside.
  • Place the butter into the bowl of your stand mixer with flat beater attachment, beat until it is light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
  • Add the powdered sugar and mix on low until combined. Then, increase the speed to medium and beat for 1 minute.
  • Add salt, flour and chopped pistachios and mix on low speed until just the dough comes together. It is important not to over mix! Form the crust of the cheesecake inside the prepared pan, pressing the dough in small portions first to the walls and then to the bottom. Put in the freezer for at least 30-40 minutes.
  • Do the crust a little bit at a time. Grab a little bit of dough and press it down the sides. Then grab another bit and keep patching it up, pressing it down with fingers. Make sure that the layer of the dough in all places has the same thickness – about 1 cm.

Pistachio Baklava

  • Melt the butter in the microwave and let it cool down. Using an 8-inch cake ring to measure the circle and a sharp knife, cut 26 circles out of the filo dough.
  • Place the first circle of the filo dough on a cutting board and brush the dough with a thin layer of melted butter. You will need about ½ teaspoon (3 grams) butter for one circle.
  • Place the second circle on top of the first and press down lightly. Repeat the process until there are 6 layers of filo dough in the stack.
  • Brush the 6th circle of filo dough with melted butter and then spread ¼ cup (30 grams) of chopped pistachios. Cover with 7th layer of the dough, brush with butter and repeat 4 more times.
  • Spread ¼ cup (30 grams) of pistachios on top of 11th layer, top with another layer of 5 sheets, all buttered and stacked.
  • Finally, spread the remaining ¼ cup chopped nuts, top with 10 more layers of dough after the pistachios, stacked and buttered.
  • Cover the baklava with plastic and place in the freezer for about 20-30 minutes to allow the butter to become solid and the layers of dough to stick together.
  • Use a sharp knife to cut the baklava in 8 triangles, but don’t run the knife all the way down.

Honey Syrup

  • Place all ingredients for the syrup in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat.
  • Once it boils, reduce heat to low and let simmer for about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and bring to room temperature.

Honey Cream Cheese Filling

  • In a mixer bowl fitted with paddle attachment, beat cream cheese with honey on medium speed until smooth.
  • Add the eggs and yolk, one at a time, beating after each addition.
  • Add the sour cream and salt, beat until completely incorporated.
  • Remove the cake pan with the cheesecake base from the freezer. Pour the filling into the pan, then carefully place the frozen baklava on top.
  • Bake the cheesecake for 60-80 minutes at 345°F |175 °C. You may need to cover the baklava with foil while baking.
  • Pour half of the honey syrup over the baklava. Wait until the syrup is completely absorbed before pouring the remaining syrup.
  • Allow the cheesecake to cool down completely, then refrigerate for at least 6-7 hours before serving.
  • Remove the cheesecake from the pan. Enjoy!

Notes

You can use any nuts you want. Sweeter nuts like walnuts and almonds are usually best for desserts. Always brush each circle of phyllo pastry before you place the next one on top.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 1124kcalCarbohydrates: 75gProtein: 20gFat: 60gSaturated Fat: 31gCholesterol: 227mgSodium: 608mgFiber: 5gSugar: 41g
Keyword baklava cheesecake, cheesecake recipe, pistachio cheesecake
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