Baklava from Solvang might be a unique change from a box of holiday chocolates this year

SOLVANG, Calif. -  You might be used to a box of chocolates around the holidays, but one new idea is to offer baklava instead.

At Cafe Dolce in Solvang, in addition to a wide variety of coffee drinks, sandwiches, smoothies  and ice cream there's now a variety of baklava. It is a traditional pastry with a sweet flavor and flaky texture.

It is made on site from a traditional Lebanese recipe.

The baklava is sold by the piece, in gift boxes or by the "tower" which is something that's been popular for special events such as weddings.

The owner Wissam Hamad says he wanted to do something different than the normal pastry choices in the area.

"I have seen the pattern here,  everybody wants the Danish pastry.  I introduced the baklava in a Danish town,"  he said.

The demand has grown in recent weeks, and a greater variety is now available.

"We started with 15 pieces and now we have towers of baklava, ten different baklava," said Hamad.
The baklava also holds up well when it is sent out. 

He says it is, "ready to go for gifts. Pre-maid or pre packed and we have a dozen and they can chose their own boxes and  can ship it to them."

The choices include walnuts, pistachios, dates and also both skinny and vegan baklava. One of the newest additions is a Nutella baklava.

For more information go to : Cafe Dolce