Description
Baklava is a rich, sweet pastry made of layers of filo dough filled with chopped nuts and sweetened with syrup or honey. It’s a celebrated dessert in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines, known for its flaky texture and indulgent taste.
Ingredients
Phyllo dough: 1 package (about 16 ounces)
Unsalted butter: 1 cup, melted
Nuts: 2 cups finely chopped (walnuts, pistachios, or almonds)
Sugar: 1/3 cup
Ground cinnamon: 1 teaspoon
For the Syrup:
Honey: 1 cup
Sugar: 1 cup
Lemon juice: 2 tablespoons
Water: 3/4 cup
Optional: A stick of cinnamon or a few cloves for extra flavor
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
Mix chopped nuts with sugar and ground cinnamon.
Place one sheet of phyllo dough in the dish; brush with melted butter. Repeat until you have 8 layers.
Sprinkle a thin layer of the nut mixture over the dough.
Continue layering phyllo sheets and nut mixture, finishing with about 8 layers of phyllo on top.
Cut the baklava into diamond or square shapes.
Bake for about 50 minutes, or until golden and crisp.
For the Syrup:
In a saucepan, combine honey, sugar, lemon juice, and water (and cinnamon/cloves if using).
Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 10 minutes.
Remove any spices and pour the hot syrup over the cooled baklava.
Enjoy your sweet and crunchy Baklava! 
Notes
- Work quickly with filo dough as it dries out fast. Keep unused sheets covered with a damp towel.
- Cutting the baklava before baking allows the syrup to seep into the layers, making it more flavorful.
- Allow the baklava to fully absorb the syrup and cool down to enhance its texture and taste.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern, Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 18g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g