Baklava | Traditional Middle Eastern Dessert

Baklava is a dessert of the Middle East and Mediterranean, and it has numerous variations depending on the country of origin. Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Greece, Jordan, Israel, Afghanistan, Georgia, Iran, Armenia, and many other countries and regions all have a variation of this pastry, which is made with buttered layers of dough and various kinds of nuts like usually pistachio, walnuts, or almonds, or a combination of all of the above. This Middle Eastern dessert is then covered in a sweet, often honey syrup. Other flavourings include cinnamon, cloves, rose water, cardamon, clove, and orange rind.

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Delicious Middle Eastern dessert made with pistachios and walnuts
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For this recipe, I am using a mixture of walnuts and pistachios. I like this flavour combination and the pretty green colour that the pistachios bring. For this same reason, I garnish my baklava with chopped pistachios, but you can use walnuts as well. Traditionally, most of the baklava you eat in middle eastern restaurants are served with a mixture of pistachios and walnuts.

baklava Middle Eastern dessert pistachio

FAQs about Baklava

Is baklava hard to make?

Baklava is one of those middle eastern desserts with a reputation for difficulty but surprisingly easy to make. This is because working with a layered dough is always tricky, but if you follow a few very simple tips, it’s not — and the results are irresistible. The texture and combination of flavours are often hard to balance. If you follow this recipe step by step, anyone can make this delicious dessert on a whim.

What condiment can we serve baklava with?

Baklava can be eaten as it is or with honey syrup, maple syrup or even chocolate syrup. this dessert by itself contains a lot of texture and flavour and does not need a condiment to go with it. However, if you want some extra flavour, you can always serve it with the above syrups.

Is baklava safe for children?

Yes! Baklava is safe to serve children. However, please keep in mind the allergy specifications. Since this dish contains a lot of nuts, I advise you to consult your doctor for any allergies your child might have.

Without any further ado, let us dive into the recipe.

Baklava

Delicious Middle Eastern dessert made with pistachios and walnuts
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Course: Dessert
Cuisine: middle east
Keyword: Baklava
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 962kcal

Ingredients

  • 250 grams walnuts
  • 300 grams pistachios
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 2 stick unsalted butter
  • 1 pack frozen phyllo sheets
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • ¾ cup water
  • ¾ cup honey

Instructions

  • Firstly we need too prep the filling. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Measure out 250 grams of walnuts and 250 grams of pistachios using a kitchen scale and place in the bowl of a food processor (reserve the additional 1/4 cup of pistachios for garnish). Add the sugar and cinnamon. Pulse a few times to break up the nuts, but do not chop them too fine or into a powder. Transfer to a bowl.
  • Next, place the two sticks of butter into the saucepan and melt under low heat. Keep an eye on things and turn off the burner when the sticks are nearly melted. The rest will melt from the residual heat of the pan.
  • Next, clear off a large surface, such as your kitchen table or counter. Place the bowl of nut filling, the baking pan, the melted butter, and the pastry brush on the surface, reserving a spot for the phyllo.
  • Next, unwrap the phyllo sheets and carefully unroll onto the assembly surface, keeping the large sheet of plastic used to roll the sheets underneath. Dampen the tea towel (not too wet!) and lay it over the phyllo.
  • If the phyllo dough is too big for your baking pan, trim the phyllo sheets to match the dimensions of your pan. A pair of scissors is the easiest way to do this.
  • Next, using the pastry brush, brush on a thin layer of butter all over the bottom of the baking pan. Fold back the tea towel, carefully remove one sheet of phyllo dough, and place it on the bottom of the pan. Butter the top of the phyllo lightly, making sure you are going out all the way to the edges. Repeat with layering 6 more sheets to total 7 sheets of phyllo, buttering the top of each sheet of phyllo before placing the next. Be sure to re-cover the remaining phyllo with the tea towel each time you remove a sheet.
  • Then sprinkle half the nuts over the phyllo and spread them gently with your hand so that you have a fairly even layer. Be sure to spread them all the way to the edges.
  • Now, place a sheet of phyllo on top of the nuts and carefully brush with melted butter. Repeat, layering 4 more sheets in all, with butter between each layer.
  • Next, sprinkle the remaining layer of nuts over the phyllo. Again, spread them into an even layer and push them all the way to the edges.
  • Next, place a phyllo sheet on top of the nuts and brush lightly with butter. Repeat, layering 6 more sheets of phyllo, with butter between each layer, to total 7 sheets.
  • Now, Using a very sharp knife, cut the baklava on the diagonal into approximately 28 pieces (can be more if you make smaller pieces).
  • Place the pan of baklava in the oven and bake for about 45 minutes. Check half way through and rotate the pan for even browning.
  • Next  When the phyllo is evenly golden-brown all over, remove the pan from the oven and set on a rack to cool.
  • While the baklava is cooling, make the syrup. Combine the sugar, water, and honey in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Boil for 10 minutes.
  • While the syrup is cooking, run your knife through the baklava to be sure the pieces are cut all the way through.
  • When the syrup has boiled for 10 minutes, remove from the stove and carefully pour over the baklava, being sure to coat each piece.
  • Lastly, sprinkle some of the chopped pistachios on each of the baklava squares. Cover the baklava and let sit for several hours or overnight before serving. Will keep for up to 5 days, covered.
Nutrition Facts
Baklava
Amount Per Serving
Calories 962 Calories from Fat 729
% Daily Value*
Fat 81g125%
Saturated Fat 25g125%
Trans Fat 1g
Polyunsaturated Fat 28g
Monounsaturated Fat 24g
Cholesterol 81mg27%
Sodium 18mg1%
Potassium 778mg22%
Carbohydrates 55g18%
Fiber 8g32%
Sugar 40g44%
Protein 17g34%
Vitamin A 1610IU32%
Vitamin C 11mg13%
Calcium 113mg11%
Iron 3mg17%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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How to make baklava

Ingredients

  • 250 grams walnuts
  • 300 grams pistachios
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon 
  • 2 stick unsalted butter 
  • 1 pack frozen phyllo sheets
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • ¾ cup water
  • ¾ cup honey

Preparation of the filling

  • Firstly we need too prep the filling for the dessert. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Measure out 250 grams of walnuts and 250 grams of pistachios using a kitchen scale and place in the bowl of a food processor (reserve the additional 1/4 cup of pistachios for garnish). Add the sugar and cinnamon. Pulse a few times to break up the nuts, but do not chop them too fine or into a powder. Transfer to a bowl.
  • Next, place the two sticks of butter into the saucepan and melt under low heat. Keep an eye on things and turn off the burner when the sticks are nearly melted. The rest will melt from the residual heat of the pan.

Preparation of middle eastern baklava

  • Next, clear off a large surface, such as your kitchen table or counter. Place the bowl of nut filling, the baking pan, the melted butter, and the pastry brush on the surface, reserving a spot for the phyllo.
  • Next, unwrap the phyllo sheets and carefully unroll onto the assembly surface, keeping the large sheet of plastic used to roll the sheets underneath. Dampen the tea towel (not too wet!) and lay it over the phyllo.
  • If the phyllo dough is too big for your baking pan, trim the phyllo sheets to match the dimensions of your pan. A pair of scissors is the easiest way to do this.

Assembling Baklava

  • Then, using the pastry brush, brush on a thin layer of butter all over the bottom of the baking pan. Fold back the tea towel, carefully remove one sheet of phyllo dough, and place it on the bottom of the pan. Butter the top of the phyllo lightly, making sure you are going out all the way to the edges. Repeat with layering 6 more sheets to total 7 sheets of phyllo, buttering the top of each sheet of phyllo before placing the next. Be sure to re-cover the remaining phyllo with the tea towel each time you remove a sheet.
  • Then sprinkle half the nuts over the phyllo and spread them gently with your hand so that you have a fairly even layer. Be sure to spread them all the way to the edges.
  • Now, place a sheet of phyllo on top of the nuts and carefully brush with melted butter. Repeat, layering 4 more sheets in all, with butter between each layer.
  • Then, sprinkle the remaining layer of nuts over the phyllo. Again, spread them into an even layer and push them all the way to the edges.
  • Next, place a phyllo sheet on top of the nuts and brush lightly with butter. Repeat, layering 6 more sheets of phyllo, with butter between each layer, to total 7 sheets.

Cooking

  • Now, Using a very sharp knife, cut the baklava on the diagonal into approximately 28 pieces (can be more if you make smaller pieces).
  • Then, place the pan of baklava in the oven and bake for about 45 minutes. Check half way through and rotate the pan for even browning.
  • Next  When the phyllo is evenly golden-brown all over, remove the pan from the oven and set on a rack to cool.
  • While the baklava is cooling, make the syrup. Combine the sugar, water, and also some honey in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Boil for 10 minutes.
  • While the syrup is cooking, run your knife through the baklava to be sure the pieces are cut all the way through.
  • When the syrup has boiled for 10 minutes, remove from the stove and carefully pour over the baklava, being sure to coat each piece.
  • Lastly, sprinkle some of the chopped pistachios on each of the baklava squares. Cover the baklava and let sit for several hours or overnight before serving. Will keep for up to 5 days, covered.

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About Jeevana

I am a cooking enthusiast with a desire to create and make unique recipes. Find amazing vegetarian and non vegetarian recipes on Gofooddy. Do not forget to tag me if you try any recipe and like it!

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