Baklava recipe

Baklava is a popular and delicious sweet pastry that has its roots in the Middle East but is widely enjoyed in many countries around the world. It is a rich, sweet dessert made with layers of phyllo dough, chopped nuts (such as walnuts, pistachios, or almonds), and sweetened with a honey-sugar syrup. Here's a straightforward Baklava recipe:

Ingredients:

For the Filling:

• 2 cups finely chopped nuts (walnuts, pistachios, or a mix)
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

For the Baklava:

• 1 package phyllo dough (16 oz)
• 1 cup unsalted butter, melted

For the Syrup:

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice

Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Prepare Filling: In a bowl, combine chopped nuts, sugar, and cinnamon. Set aside.

3. Prep the Phyllo Dough:

• Trim the phyllo sheets to fit your baking dish if needed.
• Keep the phyllo sheets covered with a damp cloth to prevent drying out.

4. Layering:

• Brush a layer of melted butter on the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish.
• Place one sheet of phyllo dough in the dish and brush with butter.
• Repeat this process, layering phyllo and butter, until you have about 8-10 sheets.

5. Add Nut Filling:

• Sprinkle a portion of the nut mixture evenly over the phyllo layers.
• Continue layering phyllo and butter, then adding nuts until all the filling is used.
• Finish with a top layer of phyllo sheets, ensuring to brush each sheet with butter.

6. Cut into Portions: Using a sharp knife, cut the baklava into diamond or square shapes.

7. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 40-50 minutes or until golden brown.

8. Make the Syrup:

• While the baklava is baking, combine water, sugar, honey, vanilla extract, and lemon juice in a saucepan.
• Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 15 minutes until it slightly thickens.

9. Pour Syrup:

• Once the baklava is out of the oven, immediately pour the hot syrup evenly over the hot baklava.

10. Cool and Serve: Allow the baklava to cool completely before serving. This helps it absorb the syrup and ensures a nice, sticky texture.

Enjoy your homemade baklava!