Description
This baklava is a rich, flaky dessert made with layers of buttery phyllo dough, spiced walnut filling, and a sweet honey-lemon syrup. It improves with time, making it perfect for make-ahead occasions and festive gatherings.
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup water
- 1/2 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 strip orange peel
- 1 package phyllo dough (16 ounces), thawed
- 1 pound walnuts, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1 1/4 cups unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Thaw the phyllo dough according to package instructions until completely pliable.
- Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C).
- Make the syrup: combine sugar, water, honey, lemon juice, and orange peel in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, stir until sugar dissolves, boil for 4 minutes without stirring. Remove from heat, discard peel, and cool completely.
- Pulse walnuts with cinnamon and cardamom in a food processor until coarsely ground.
- Unroll phyllo and trim to fit a 9×13-inch baking dish. Keep unused sheets covered with a damp towel.
- Brush the baking dish with melted butter. Layer 10 phyllo sheets, brushing each with butter. Sprinkle about 3/4 cup of nut mixture.
- Continue layering with 5 buttered sheets and 3/4 cup nuts until all nut filling is used. Finish with remaining phyllo, brushing butter between each sheet and on top.
- Cut into 4 long strips, then slice diagonally to form diamonds.
- Bake for 1 hour 15 minutes, until golden and crisp.
- Immediately pour cooled syrup over hot baklava. Run knife through cuts again to fully separate.
- Let baklava rest for at least 6 hours or overnight for best flavor and texture.
- Serve once layers are saturated and set.
Notes
- Use a damp towel to prevent phyllo from drying out.
- Substitute pistachios or use a nut blend for varied flavors.
- Orange blossom or rose water adds a traditional twist to the syrup.
- Let baklava rest overnight for optimal syrup absorption.
- Do not reheat to preserve the crisp texture.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 13g
- Sodium: 45mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
