Baklava recipe

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Baklava: A Sweet and Nutty Greek Delight

Baklava is a classic Greek dessert known for its layers of crispy phyllo dough, rich nuts, and sweet honey syrup. This decadent treat is perfect for sharing with family and friends, offering a delightful combination of textures and flavors that will satisfy any sweet tooth.

Introduction

Baklava is a beloved Greek dessert that features layers of flaky phyllo pastry filled with a mixture of chopped nuts and sweetened with a spiced honey syrup. This dessert is perfect for special occasions or as a sweet treat to enjoy with a cup of coffee or tea. Making Baklava at home is easier than you might think and is sure to impress your guests.

Ingredients for the Baklava

  • 1 package phyllo dough (16 oz), thawed
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 cups mixed nuts (walnuts, pistachios, almonds), finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

Honey Syrup

  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup honey
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 strip of lemon peel

Instructions

  1. Preheat the Oven:
    • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Prepare the Nut Filling:
    • In a medium bowl, combine the chopped nuts, ground cinnamon, and ground cloves. Mix well and set aside.
  3. Assemble the Baklava:
    • Brush a 9×13-inch baking dish with melted butter. Place one sheet of phyllo dough in the dish and brush with butter. Repeat, layering and buttering each sheet until you have 8 sheets layered.
    • Sprinkle a thin layer of the nut mixture over the phyllo layers.
    • Continue layering phyllo sheets, buttering each one, and adding a layer of nuts every 8 sheets, until all the nuts are used. Finish with 8 layers of phyllo, brushing each with butter.
  4. Cut the Baklava:
    • Using a sharp knife, cut the assembled baklava into diamond or square shapes.
  5. Bake:
    • Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, until the baklava is golden brown and crisp.
  6. Prepare the Honey Syrup:
    • While the baklava is baking, combine the water, sugar, honey, vanilla extract, cinnamon stick, and lemon peel in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove the cinnamon stick and lemon peel.
  7. Pour the Syrup:
    • Remove the baklava from the oven and immediately pour the hot honey syrup over the entire dish, ensuring it seeps into all the cuts.
  8. Cool and Serve:
    • Allow the baklava to cool completely before serving. This allows the syrup to soak in and the flavors to meld together.

Serving Suggestions

Baklava is best enjoyed at room temperature and can be served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. It also pairs beautifully with a cup of strong Greek coffee or tea.

Conclusion

Baklava is a sweet, nutty, and crispy dessert that brings the flavors of Greece to your table. Perfect for sharing, this delightful treat is sure to impress with its rich layers and aromatic honey syrup.

 

Baklava recipe
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Baklava recipe

Recipe by Sef13Course: Greek FoodDifficulty: Medium

Baklava is a classic Greek dessert known for its layers of crispy phyllo dough, rich nuts, and sweet honey syrup. This decadent treat is perfect for sharing with family and friends, offering a delightful combination of textures and flavors that will satisfy any sweet tooth.

Ingredients

  • Ingredients for the Baklava

  • 1 package phyllo dough (16 oz), thawed

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, melted

  • 2 cups mixed nuts (walnuts, pistachios, almonds), finely chopped

  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

  • Honey Syrup

  • 1 cup water

  • 1 cup sugar

  • 1 cup honey

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • 1 cinnamon stick

  • 1 strip of lemon peel

Directions

  • Preheat the Oven:
  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  • Prepare the Nut Filling:
  • In a medium bowl, combine the chopped nuts, ground cinnamon, and ground cloves. Mix well and set aside.
  • Assemble the Baklava:
  • Brush a 9×13-inch baking dish with melted butter. Place one sheet of phyllo dough in the dish and brush with butter. Repeat, layering and buttering each sheet until you have 8 sheets layered.
  • Sprinkle a thin layer of the nut mixture over the phyllo layers.
  • Continue layering phyllo sheets, buttering each one, and adding a layer of nuts every 8 sheets, until all the nuts are used. Finish with 8 layers of phyllo, brushing each with butter.
  • Cut the Baklava:
  • Using a sharp knife, cut the assembled baklava into diamond or square shapes.
  • Bake:
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, until the baklava is golden brown and crisp.
  • Prepare the Honey Syrup:
  • While the baklava is baking, combine the water, sugar, honey, vanilla extract, cinnamon stick, and lemon peel in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove the cinnamon stick and lemon peel.
  • Pour the Syrup:
  • Remove the baklava from the oven and immediately pour the hot honey syrup over the entire dish, ensuring it seeps into all the cuts.
  • Cool and Serve:
  • Allow the baklava to cool completely before serving. This allows the syrup to soak in and the flavors to meld together.