Who said you need a cake pan to bake a cake?

Ingredients

1 lb phyllo dough

1 1/2 C unsalted butter melted

1 lb. walnut meat finely chopped

8 Tbs. sugar

2 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. ground clove

syrup ( below)

3 1/2 C water

1 C sugar

1 cinnamon stick

5-6 whole cloves

1 lemon sliced and squeezed

1 orange sliced and squeezed

Directions

Lightly spray a 13X9X2 pan with cooking spray.

Start with 10- 12 sheets of phyllo dough and brush melted butter on each sheet.

Combine walnuts, 5 Tbs. sugar, cinnamon and ground clove.

Sprinkle about 1/3 of the mixture over the shhets in the pan. Continue with phyllo and when another 10- 12 sheets are laid, sprinkle another 1/3 of the mixture.

Place another 5- 6 sheets and sprinkle the remaining 1/3.

Spread the remaining sheets on top.

With a very sharp knife, cut through all layers in a diamond pattern. Make as big as you want. I like them about 1 inch diamonds.

Heat remaining butter until very hot and starting to brown.

Pour over baklava

Sprinkle a few drops of cold water over baklava and bake in a 350 oven for about 30 minutes.

Reduce to 300 and bake about 1 hour more.

When you take the baklava out, immediately pour the strained syrup over the whole pan. Do about 1/2 of the syrup, let it soak up and dump a little more on top. Make it as wet as you want. I don't like it real wet.

Let it cool down and serve. Enjoy!

You aced baking for Dad this Father's Day! Now it's time to reward yourself for all that hard work in the kitchen. This week's challenge is all about indulging in a sweet treat just for you.

Think of it as a victory lap after a baking marathon. Here are some ideas to inspire your solo celebration:

Go for the Gourmet: Did you bake Dad a classic chocolate chip cookie recipe? Treat yourself to a batch of gourmet cookies with fancy add-ins like chopped nuts, dried fruit, or even white chocolate chips.

Mini Indulgence: Maybe you spent all weekend meticulously decorating a beautiful cake for Dad. Take a break from the big projects and whip up a batch of mini cupcakes or cake pops in your favorite flavor.

Fruity Fix: Did Dad request a hearty dessert? Balance things out with a lighter treat for yourself. Try a fresh and vibrant fruit crisp, a batch of muffins bursting with summer berries, or a simple lemon loaf cake.

Frozen Fun: Beat the summer heat with a delicious frozen treat! Make your own ice cream with unique flavor combinations, whip up a batch of homemade popsicles, or try your hand at a refreshing granita.

Bonus Challenge: While you're at it, put on your favorite music, grab a good book, and create a relaxing atmosphere to enjoy your homemade reward.

Remember, baking is for everyone, and you deserve a delicious treat after all your hard work! So go ahead, indulge in something special and celebrate your baking success!