Description
Baklava is a beloved filo dough dessert made of crispy golden layers of pastry filled with chopped nuts and soaked in sweet honey syrup.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound filo dough, thawed if frozen
- 2 cups chopped walnuts, almonds, or pistachios
- 1 cup melted butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
Instructions
- Prep the oven and pan: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a rectangular baking pan with butter or oil.
- Layer the filo and nuts: Place one sheet of filo in the pan, brush with melted butter, and repeat for 5 sheets. Sprinkle a layer of chopped nuts and cinnamon (if using). Repeat the process—5 layers of filo, butter, then nuts—until ingredients are used, finishing with 5–6 layers of filo on top.
- Cut and bake: Using a sharp knife, cut the unbaked baklava into squares or diamond shapes. Bake for about 45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and crisp.
- Make the syrup: While the baklava bakes, boil the sugar, water, and honey in a saucepan. Simmer for 10 minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from heat.
- Add syrup and rest: Pour the hot syrup over the freshly baked baklava. Let it soak for several hours before serving so the flavors meld and the texture softens perfectly.
Notes
- Keep filo dough covered with a damp cloth while working to prevent it from drying out.
- You can use a mix of nuts for added complexity in flavor and texture.
- Allow the baklava to rest overnight for the best flavor and syrup absorption.
- Add a splash of lemon juice or orange blossom water to the syrup for a fresh twist.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Mediterranean / Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 210 kcal
- Sugar: 17g
- Sodium: 45mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 15mg