| 2 1/4 | c | Granulated sugar; divided |
| 1 1/2 | c | Cold water |
| 3/4 | c | (9 ounces) thyme or clover honey; preferably raw |
| | Zest; (thin, outermost colored layer) of 1 small orange, cut into strips |
| 1 | | Stick; (2 1/2 inch) of cinnamon |
| 1/2 | | Lemon; (about 1 tablespoon) , Juice of |
| 3 | | Whole cloves |
| 1 | | Bottle; (1 1/2 ounce) (3 tablespoons) rosewater, optional |
| 1/2 | ts | Pure vanilla extract |
| 1 | c | (1/4 pound) very finely chopped almonds |
| 1 | c | (1/4 pound) very finely chopped Brazil nuts |
| 1 | c | (1/4 pound) very finely chopped filberts |
| 1 | c | (1/4 pound) very finely chopped pecans |
| 1 | c | (1/4 pound) very finely chopped walnuts |
| 1 1/2 | lb | (6 sticks) unsalted butter; divided |
| 1 | tb | Ground cinnamon |
| 1/2 | ts | Ground cloves |
| 1/2 | ts | Ground nutmeg |
| 1/4 | ts | Ground allspice |
| 1/4 | ts | Ground mace |
| 1 | lb | (32 16x12-inch) #4 Phyllo leaves; preferably fresh |
