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Saffron Rose Water Halal Baklava Cheesecake Bars

  • Author: David Andersson
  • Total Time: 4 hours
  • Yield: 12 bars 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

At its core, this dessert is a brilliant culinary marriage. It replaces the traditional graham cracker crust of a standard cheesecake with a rich, flaky, nut-filled baklava base. Layer upon layer of paper-thin phyllo pastry, brushed with rich butter and tossed with spiced nuts, forms the foundation.

Ingredients

Scale

  • 10 sheets phyllo pastry

  • ½ cup melted butter

  • 1 cup finely chopped pistachios

  • ¼ cup finely chopped almonds

  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon

Saffron Rose Cheesecake Filling

  • 450 g (16 oz) cream cheese, softened

  • ¾ cup granulated sugar

  • 2 eggs

  • ½ cup Greek yogurt or sour cream

  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

  • 1 tsp rose water

  • ¼ tsp saffron strands, soaked in 1 tbsp warm milk

  • 1 tbsp cornstarch

Honey Rose Syrup

  • ⅓ cup honey

  • 2 tbsp water

  • ½ tsp rose water

  • Pinch of saffron (optional)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Baklava Base

  1. Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F).

  2. Line an 8×8-inch (20×20 cm) baking pan with parchment paper.

  3. Layer 5 sheets phyllo, brushing each with melted butter.

  4. Mix pistachios, almonds, and cinnamon.

  5. Sprinkle the nut mixture evenly over the phyllo.

  6. Top with 5 more buttered phyllo sheets.

  7. Bake for 15 minutes until lightly golden.

2. Make the Cheesecake Filling

  1. Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth.

  2. Add eggs one at a time.

  3. Mix in yogurt, vanilla, rose water, saffron milk, and cornstarch.

  4. Pour over the partially baked baklava base.

3. Bake

  • Bake for 30–35 minutes until the center is just set.

  • Cool completely.

  • Refrigerate for at least 4 hours (overnight is best).

4. Make the Syrup

  1. Warm honey and water in a small saucepan.

  2. Stir in rose water and saffron.

  3. Cool slightly.

5. Finish & Serve

  • Drizzle syrup over chilled cheesecake bars.

  • Garnish with crushed pistachios, rose petals, and a few saffron strands.

  • Cut into squares or bars and serve chilled.

Notes

Serve these bars chilled with Arabic coffee, Turkish tea, or Kashmiri chai for a truly luxurious halal dessert experience.

  • Prep Time: 30 mins
  • Cook Time: 45 mins
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baked
  • Cuisine: Middle Eastern Fusion

Nutrition

  • Calories: 320

Keywords: Baklava Cheesecake Bars Fusion, Saffron Rose Water Cheesecake, Middle Eastern Fusion Dessert Bars

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Find it online: https://recipesmaria.com/halal-baklava-cheesecake-bars-recipe/