Easy Greek Baklava

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1. 1Step 1: In a small or medium saucepan, bring ¾ cup of the sugar and ¾ cup water and lemon peel to a low boil or simmer over medium or medium high heat and cook until the sugar is dissolved and thickened slightly, about 2 minutes.
2. 2Step 2: Remove from heat and then stir in honey and lemon juice.
3. 3Step 3: Preheat oven to 350°F and melt butter.
4. 4Step 4: Line 8x8 pan or 9x9 pan with parchment paper for easy lifting then brush bottom and sides of pan/parchment with a little butter.
5. 5Step 5: In a bowl of food processor pulse nuts with the spices and remaining 3 tablespoons of sugar until finely chopped but not into a meal/or flour.
6. 6Step 6: Unroll phyllo dough. Cut or trim whole stack of phyllo to size of pan - into 8-9 inch square.
7. 7Step 7: Cover phyllo sheets with a damp (not too wet) cloth or plastic wrap to keep from drying out as you work.
8. 8Step 8: Keep the phyllo covered while you work, lifting the plastic and towel only to grab one sheet at a time.
9. 9Step 9: Lay 1 sheet of phyllo on the bottom. Brush sheet lightly with butter and add another sheet.
10. 10Step 10: Repeat this process with 4 more sheets. (5 sheets on bottom)
11. 11Step 11: Top evenly with ⅓ of the nut mixture and drizzle with 1 tablespoon butter.
12. 12Step 12: Add 4 more sheets of phyllo layered lightly with butter between each sheet.
13. 13Step 13: Top with the another ⅓ of the nut mixture and another tablespoon of butter.
14. 14Step 14: Add 4 more sheets of phyllo layered with butter. Top with the remaining nut mixture and another tablespoon butter.
15. 15Step 15: Slice the baklava unbaked with a very sharp knife - cutting almost through to the bottom then transfer to oven and bake until golden.
16. 16Step 16: Remove from oven when done then gently pour cool syrup over hot baklava - allow to cool completely and set then slice all the way through and enjoy.