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Honey Baklava

A classic Middle Eastern dessert featuring layers of flaky phyllo dough, chopped nuts, and sweet honey syrup. This rich, sweet pastry is perfect for special occasions.

95 minHardServes 24315 cal/serving

Middle EasternDessertOvenVegetarianLow-SodiumPork-FreeAlcohol-FreeNightshade-FreeCorn-Free

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Ingredients

  • 2 cups walnuts, finely chopped
  • 1 cup pistachios, shelled and finely chopped
  • 1 cup almonds, blanched and finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar (for nut mixture)
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground cardamom
  • 1/4 tsp ground cloves
  • 1 lb phyllo dough sheets, thawed according to package instructions
  • 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 cup honey
  • 1 cup granulated sugar (for syrup)
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tsp orange blossom water, optional
  • 1 cinnamon stick

Instructions

  1. 1

    Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.

  2. 2

    In a large bowl, combine 2 cups finely chopped walnuts, 1 cup shelled and finely chopped pistachios, 1 cup blanched and finely chopped almonds, 1/4 cup granulated sugar (for nut mixture), 2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground cardamom, and 1/4 tsp ground cloves. Mix well and set aside.

  3. 3

    In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup honey, 1 cup granulated sugar (for syrup), 1 cup water, 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1 tsp optional orange blossom water (if using), and 1 cinnamon stick.

  4. 4

    Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat, discard cinnamon stick, and let cool completely while preparing the baklava.

  5. 5

    Unroll the 1 lb thawed according to package instructions phyllo dough sheets and cover with a damp cloth to prevent it from drying out.

  6. 6

    Brush the bottom of the baking dish with 1 1/2 cups melted unsalted butter.

  7. 7

    Layer 10 sheets of phyllo in the baking dish, brushing each sheet with butter before adding the next.

  8. 8

    Sprinkle 1/3 of the nut mixture evenly over the phyllo layers.

  9. 9

    Layer 5 more sheets of phyllo, brushing each with butter, then add another 1/3 of the nut mixture.

  10. 10

    Repeat with 5 more buttered phyllo sheets and the remaining nut mixture.

  11. 11

    Top with the remaining phyllo sheets (about 10), brushing each with butter, including the top sheet.

  12. 12

    Using a sharp knife, cut the unbaked baklava into diamond or square shapes, cutting all the way to the bottom of the dish.

  13. 13

    Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, until golden brown and crisp.

  14. 14

    Remove from oven and immediately pour the cooled syrup evenly over the hot baklava.

  15. 15

    Let the baklava cool completely, uncovered, at room temperature for at least 4-6 hours or overnight to allow it to absorb the syrup.

  16. 16

    Store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

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Questions

What is Honey Baklava?

A classic Middle Eastern dessert featuring layers of flaky phyllo dough, chopped nuts, and sweet honey syrup. This rich, sweet pastry is perfect for special occasions. This reference files it under Middle Eastern dessert: made in the oven, rated hard and about 95 minutes start to finish.

What temperature do I cook Honey Baklava at?

For Honey Baklava, the oven is set to 350 F (about 175 C) in step 1. The longest stretch at that heat is 50 minutes, in step 13.

What should Honey Baklava look like when it is ready?

Go by the cues in the method rather than the clock. Step 13: cook until golden brown and crisp.

Can I make Honey Baklava dairy-free?

Yes. The dairy in Honey Baklava is 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, melted. Swap the butter for olive oil where it melts, or a plant-based block butter where it is creamed. The richness shifts slightly, but the method does not change.

Is Honey Baklava vegan?

No, though it is vegetarian. What keeps it from vegan is 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, melted and 1 cup honey. For fully plant-based entries, see the vegan dessert collection.

Does Honey Baklava contain tree nuts?

Yes: 2 cups walnuts, finely chopped, 1 cup pistachios, shelled and finely chopped and 1 cup almonds, blanched and finely chopped. The full allergen list for this entry is gluten, dairy and tree nuts. Where the nuts are a garnish or a texture, toasted sunflower or pumpkin seeds stand in. Packaged ingredients vary by brand, so check labels if the allergy is serious.

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