🍯 Why You’ll Love This Baklava
Baklava is a rich, sweet pastry made of layers of filo dough, filled with a delicious combination of nuts and soaked in a sugary syrup. It’s perfect for sweet treat with tea. Crispy, buttery, and absolutely irresistible!
📝 Ingredients:
- For the Baklava:
- 1 package of filo dough (about 16 sheets)
- 2 cups mixed nuts (walnuts, pistachios, almonds), chopped
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- For the Syrup:
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
🔪 Instructions:
- Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Prepare the Nut Filling:
- In a bowl, mix the chopped nuts with cinnamon and granulated sugar. Set aside.
- Layer the Filo Dough:
- Brush a 9×13-inch baking dish with some melted butter. Place the first sheet of filo dough into the dish and brush it with butter.
- Continue layering and buttering each sheet of filo dough, about 8 layers.
- After the 8 layers, sprinkle a thin layer of the nut mixture over the filo dough.
- Repeat the layering process (another 8 sheets of filo dough) and add another layer of nuts.
- Finish by layering the remaining filo dough (another 8 sheets), buttering each layer.
- Cut the Baklava:
- Once all the layers are done, use a sharp knife to cut the baklava into diamond or square shapes.
- Bake the Baklava:
- Bake the baklava in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes, or until it turns golden and crispy.
- Prepare the Syrup:
- While the baklava is baking, combine the water, sugar, lemon juice, and cinnamon stick in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 10 minutes.
- Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Let it cool.
- Soak the Baklava:
- Once the baklava is done baking, remove it from the oven. Pour the cooled syrup evenly over the hot baklava, making sure every piece is soaked.
- Let the baklava sit at room temperature for a few hours to absorb the syrup and become crisp.
- Serve and Enjoy:
Once cooled and soaked, your baklava is ready to serve! Enjoy the perfect balance of crispy, nutty, and sweet layers.
- ⏰ Prep Time : 20 minutes
- 🍳 Cooking Time : 40 minutes
- ⏳ Total Time : 1 hour
- 🍽️ Servings : 24 pieces
🍯 Pro Tips:
- You can make baklava ahead of time. It lasts for several days when stored in an airtight container.
- Experiment with different nuts, such as pistachios, walnuts, or hazelnuts, depending on your preference.
- If you want extra flavor, you can add a touch of rose water or orange blossom water to the syrup.
Enjoy your Baklava!