Homemade Baklava Recipe: Layers of Golden, Flaky Pastry with Sweet Nut Filling

Baklava is a traditional Middle Eastern dessert made with layers of phyllo pastry, chopped nuts, and honey syrup. This delicious and sweet pastry is perfect for any occasion and is sure to impress your friends and family. In this recipe, we will show you how to make baklava from scratch, step by step.

Ingredients

• 1 package phyllo pastry
• 1 cup chopped nuts (walnuts, pistachios, or almonds)
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 tsp lemon juice

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with butter.
2. In a bowl, mix together the chopped nuts, granulated sugar, and cinnamon.
3. Unwrap the phyllo pastry and lay it flat on a work surface. Cover it with a damp towel to prevent it from drying out.
4. Take one sheet of phyllo pastry and brush it with melted butter. Repeat with five more sheets.
5. Sprinkle 1/3 of the nut mixture on top of the phyllo pastry.
6. Layer another six sheets of phyllo pastry, brushing each sheet with melted butter.
7. Sprinkle another 1/3 of the nut mixture on top of the phyllo pastry.
8. Layer the remaining six sheets of phyllo pastry, brushing each sheet with melted butter.
9. Sprinkle the remaining 1/3 of the nut mixture on top of the phyllo pastry.
10. Using a sharp knife, cut the baklava into diamond-shaped pieces.
11. Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown.
12. While the baklava is baking, make the honey syrup. In a saucepan, heat the honey, water, and lemon juice over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture comes to a boil. Reduce the heat and let simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until the syrup has thickened slightly.
13. When the baklava is done, remove it from the oven and immediately pour the honey syrup over it, making sure it gets into all the cuts.
14. Let the baklava cool completely in the pan before serving.

Tips

• Be sure to thaw the phyllo pastry according to package instructions before using it.
• Use a sharp knife to cut the baklava into diamond shapes to prevent the layers from getting squished.
• Let the baklava cool completely in the pan before removing it to prevent it from falling apart.
• Serve the baklava with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra special treat.

Conclusion

Baklava may seem like a complicated dessert to make, but with this recipe, you'll be able to make it like a pro. The combination of flaky phyllo pastry, crunchy nuts, and sweet honey syrup is absolutely irresistible. Impress your friends and family with this delicious dessert, and don't be surprised if they ask for the recipe!