Baklawa Blondies

What's in a name? Apparently more than Bill Shakespeare had presumed. The deceivingly simple substitution of a w for a v in the name of this delicious confection can bring your tastebuds from Greece to Lebanon in the course of one dessert order. Names matter, especially when it comes to distinctions amongst the varieties of the flaky, buttery, and deliciously syrupy dessert at hand.

As the name of this blondie suggests, I have opted for a more Middle Eastern approach to dessert. Using crushed pistachios, orange blossom water, and spices more reminiscent of Amman than Athens, these squares elicit some of my fondest associations with Middle Eastern foodways. Rich with honey, and tart with yogurt, there is no mistaking this blondie for its Greek counterpart!