Baklava

Name: Baklava
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 95 min
Yield: 24 servings
Cuisine: Turkish
Ingredients: 1 lb phyllo dough sheets, thawed; 4 cups walnuts and pistachios (mixed), finely chopped; 2 tsp ground cinnamon; 1 tsp ground cardamom; 1/2 tsp ground cloves; 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter (or vegetable oil for dairy-free), melted; 2 cups granulated sugar; 1 1/2 cups water; 1/2 cup honey; 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice; 2 tsp orange blossom water; 1 tsp rose water (optional)

A rich, sweet pastry made of layers of phyllo dough filled with chopped nuts and sweetened with a fragrant honey syrup, popular throughout the Middle East and Mediterranean.

95 minHardServes 24240 cal/serving

TurkishDessertOvenVegetarianDairy-FreeLow-SodiumPork-FreeAlcohol-FreeNightshade-Free

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Ingredients

1 lb phyllo dough sheets, thawed
4 cups walnuts and pistachios (mixed), finely chopped
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground cardamom
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1 1/2 cups unsalted butter (or vegetable oil for dairy-free), melted
2 cups granulated sugar
1 1/2 cups water
1/2 cup honey
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
2 tsp orange blossom water
1 tsp rose water (optional)

Instructions

1

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.
2

In a bowl, mix the finely chopped 4 cups finely chopped walnuts and pistachios (mixed) with 2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1 tsp ground cardamom, and 1/2 tsp ground cloves.
3

Carefully unroll the 1 lb thawed phyllo dough sheets and cover with a slightly damp kitchen towel to prevent it from drying out while working.
4

Place two sheets of phyllo in the bottom of the prepared pan and brush generously with 1 1/2 cups melted unsalted butter (or vegetable oil for dairy-free). Repeat this process until you have used about 1/3 of the phyllo sheets.
5

Sprinkle about 1/3 of the nut mixture evenly over the layered phyllo.
6

Continue layering phyllo sheets (two at a time), brushing each with butter, and add another 1/3 of the nut mixture. Repeat once more.
7

Finish with a final layer of phyllo (about 6-8 sheets), each brushed with butter, with the top sheet being well-buttered.
8

Using a sharp knife, carefully cut the baklava into diamond or square shapes, making sure to cut all the way to the bottom of the pan.
9

Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, until the baklava is golden and crisp.
10

While the baklava is baking, make the syrup by combining the 2 cups granulated sugar, 1 1/2 cups water, 1/2 cup honey, and 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 10 minutes until slightly thickened.
11

Remove from heat and stir in the 2 tsp orange blossom water and 1 tsp rose water (optional) if using.
12

When the baklava is done baking, immediately pour the hot syrup evenly over the hot baklava, ensuring it seeps into all the cuts.
13

Let the baklava cool completely at room temperature for several hours or overnight before serving to allow the syrup to be fully absorbed.

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Questions

What is Baklava?

A rich, sweet pastry made of layers of phyllo dough filled with chopped nuts and sweetened with a fragrant honey syrup, popular throughout the Middle East and Mediterranean. This reference files it under Turkish dessert: made in the oven, rated hard and about 95 minutes start to finish.

How long does Baklava take?

As written, 95 minutes: 45 of prep and 50 of cooking. The longest single stretch is the hands-off wait in step 13, overnight, or about 8 hours. That wait sits outside the stated prep and cook times, so plan around it.

What temperature do I cook Baklava at?

For 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 9.

What can I use instead of honey in Baklava?

The entry for Baklava calls for 1/2 cup honey. In its place: Maple syrup or agave, measure for measure, which also makes it vegan.

Can I make Baklava gluten-free?

Not cleanly. 1 lb phyllo dough sheets, thawed has no substitute that behaves the same way in this dish. If you need strictly gluten-free, start from the gluten-free dessert collection instead.

Does Baklava contain tree nuts?

Yes: 4 cups walnuts and pistachios (mixed), finely chopped. The full allergen list for this entry is gluten 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.

How many calories are in Baklava?

One serving (the recipe makes 24) is about 240 calories, with 8 g protein, 32 g carbohydrate and 12 g fat, plus 2 g fiber and 8 mg sodium. The figures are estimates computed from the ingredient list.

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