Leftovers are LOVELY!

Each time I go to make a baklava, I notice all the left over bits of filling, strips of filo dough, small jars of syrup staring at me, begging me to use them up in some way. I decided to take the challenge and spend the day experimenting with something completely new: Cheesecake Baklava bites!

I had seen on Pinterest that someone had made a baklava cheesecake and that looked so intimidating to eat to me! Maybe, just maybe, if it was bite sized, it would taste ok. I pulled out all the extra fillings (chocolate, regular, ginger peach, and pineapple coconut), the dough, and a mini muffin pan. Taking the baklava cheesecake recipe as a guide, I began mixing and layering in the mini muffin pan..posting pictures along the way and cheered on by my Facebook fans! Go, Elif, GO!

It all pulled together beautifully and really was beautiful by the time it was done…but did it taste good?

Finally, I sacrificed one to try and it tasted pretty good! I had thought it would be too soggy inside and the cheesecake filling would be too liquidy with the syrup. It wasn’t. The syrup was poured around the edges and just soaked the crispy filo dough. There was just enough cream cheese and baklava filling to feel that you were eating something special. Not too overpowering on either level. I will admit that it was a lot more work to make these lovelies than a regular tray of baklava! My back was hurting a bit from bending over as I buttered all those little 4 inch strips of filo dough! I am sure if there is a demand for them, I will work out a system.

Today is delivery day. I have eaten my 1, the girls have each had enough, and I need to get these to people who will enjoy them. Three lucky people will be my tasters and give me their feedback! Time for me to get moving so they can get eating!