Huckleberry Jalapeno Baklava

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It was such a joy to have the kids up this weekend. They were here to help out with the butcher class, but we also had some time to hang out and cook together. I wanted to make something a little special for them, something with a fun twist, so I came up with this take on a sweet and spicy baklava. We’re all huge fans of huckleberries, and the addition of jalapeño in the ricotta made it even more exciting. Topping it off with crispy smoky bacon added that savory element we all love.

It’s always a good time when we can gather in the kitchen and experiment with new flavors. This huckleberry hot pepper baklava hit the spot, combining creamy ricotta with the tang of the huckleberry habanero jam. The buttery layers of phyllo added that satisfying crunch, and with the smoky bacon on top, it was the perfect mix of sweet, spicy, and savory. The beauty of this recipe is its flexibility—feel free to use any fruit jam you like and swap out the jalapeño for any other hot pepper to suit your taste.

Huckleberry Jalapeno Baklava

Ingredients:

1 package Pepperidge Farm phyllo dough, thawed  
1 ½ cups ricotta cheese  
1 jalapeño, finely chopped  
½ cup huckleberry habanero jam (or any spicy-sweet jam)  
½ cup melted butter  
½ lb smoky bacon, cooked and chopped  

Instructions:

Preheat your oven to 375°F. Lay 3-4 sheets of phyllo dough on a baking tray, brushing each sheet with melted butter as you layer them. In a bowl, mix the ricotta cheese with the chopped jalapeño. Spread a thin layer of the ricotta mixture over the phyllo dough, followed by a drizzle of huckleberry habanero jam. Add another 3-4 layers of phyllo dough on top, brushing each layer with melted butter. Repeat this process of layering the ricotta mixture and jam until you've built up 3-5 layers, finishing with a final buttered phyllo layer on top. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the phyllo is golden brown and crispy. Once baked, top with the chopped smoky bacon pieces. Let it cool slightly before serving.

This dish is such a fun blend of textures and flavors, and the best part is how flexible it is—you can easily adapt it to whatever you have on hand. It's a perfect, simple treat to enjoy with family, whether you’re celebrating or just having a laid-back weekend together.

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