Apple Baklava

Originally baklava is a rich, sweet pastry made of layers of filo filled with chopped nuts and sweetened and held together with syrup or honey. It is characteristic of the cuisines of the former Ottoman Empire, and is also found in Central and West Asia. This recipe is a recreation of  this delicious treat, made in a raw way using only plant-based ingredients. This dessert is truly out of this world. Must try!

Ingredients

Baklava

• 2 big apples
• 1 cup walnuts
• 1 cup dates
• 2 tbsp maple syrup
• pinch of each ground cinnamon, ground cardamom, ground cloves

Vanilla Sauce

• 1 cup raw cashews soaked
• ⅓ cup water
• 2 tbsp maple syrup
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Topping

• ¼ cup chopped pistachios

Instructions

1. The day before slice the apples thinly with a mandolin. Dry the apple slices in a dehydrator until they are crisp for 6-8 hours.
2. The next day place all the filling ingredients into the food processor and process until you end up with a sticky mixture.
3. Cover the base of the square cake form with cling film. Take a third of the apple chips and place them closely positioned on top of the cling film. Cover the apple chips with half of the amount of the nut filling. Go on with a second third of the apple chips and place them closely positioned on the nut filling. Now take the rest of the nut filling to cover the apple chips again. End the baklava cake with the remaining apple chips. Now press the baklava cautiously down so that it sticks together.
4. Cut the baklava cake with a sharp knife into nine or more pieces.
5. For the vanilla sauce blend all sauce ingredients until smooth.
6. Serve the baklavas with vanilla sauce and chopped pistachios.