Baklava

Desserts Middle Eastern CuisinePrep: 45 minsCook: 35 minsServes: 24

Rich, sweet pastry made with layers of filo dough and nuts
Drizzled with honey or sugar syrup for a sticky, indulgent treat
Perfect for special occasions and celebrations

Baklava is a decadent dessert that features layers of thin filo pastry filled with chopped nuts and sweetened with honey or sugar syrup. It is a beloved treat in many Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines, known for its rich flavors and satisfying crunch.

This recipe guides you through the process of layering filo sheets with a spiced nut mixture and baking until golden and crisp. The final touch is a generous drizzle of sweet syrup, which soaks into the layers and creates a sticky, irresistible dessert.

Tips & Serving Suggestions

Keep the filo dough covered with a damp cloth to prevent it from drying out.
Use a sharp knife to cut the baklava into diamond or square shapes before baking.
Allow the baklava to cool completely before serving to let the syrup set.

Ingredients

1 package (16 oz) filo dough, thawed	1 lb (450g) mixed nuts (walnuts, pistachios, almonds), finely chopped
1 cup (200g) unsalted butter, melted	1 cup (200g) sugar
1 cup (240ml) water	1/2 cup (120ml) honey
1 tsp ground cinnamon	1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg	1 tsp vanilla extract

1 package (16 oz) filo dough, thawed

1 lb (450g) mixed nuts (walnuts, pistachios, almonds), finely chopped

1 cup (200g) unsalted butter, melted

1 cup (200g) sugar

1 cup (240ml) water

1/2 cup (120ml) honey

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp ground cloves

1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

1 tsp vanilla extract

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
In a large bowl, mix the chopped nuts with cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.
In a saucepan, combine sugar and water. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in honey and vanilla extract. Set aside to cool.

Cooking

Brush a 9x13 inch baking dish with melted butter.
Layer 10 sheets of filo dough, brushing each with melted butter.
Spread half of the nut mixture over the filo.
Layer 5 more sheets of filo, brushing each with butter.
Spread the remaining nut mixture over the filo.
Layer the remaining filo sheets, brushing each with butter.
Cut the baklava into diamond or square shapes using a sharp knife.
Bake for 35 minutes, or until golden and crisp.
Pour the cooled syrup over the hot baklava. Let it cool completely before serving.

Serving

Serve at room temperature, optionally with a dusting of powdered sugar or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Store in an airtight container to maintain freshness.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 pieceCalories Per Serving: 220

	% Daily Value		% Daily Value
Total Carbohydrate 28g	10%	Cholesterol 5mg	2%
Total Fat 12g	15%	Saturated Fat 2g	10%
Unsaturated Fat 8g		Trans Fat 0g
Dietary Fiber 2g	7%	Protein 4g	8%
Sodium 120mg	5%	Sugars 18g	20%