Baklava
Recipe video above. Layers upon layers of flaky pastry with a syrup soaked walnut or pistachio filling! Just like store bought - except it's not overly sweet, and you will love the hint of lemon. Makes 24 whole pieces plus a bunch of half pieces (cooks' treat!). Keeps for a WEEK!! This recipe is best started the night before and needs 6+hours resting time.
- Prep time
- 45 min
- Cook time
- 1 hr 10 min
- Yield
- 24 servings
- Difficulty
- HARD
Ingredients
- 40 sheets filo/phyllo pastry ((2 x 375g or 1 x 1lb pack, Note 1 for pack sizes))
- 500 g walnuts ((other nuts Note 2))
- 285 g unsalted butter (, melted and slightly cooled)
- 1 tsp cinnamon powder
- 1 cup white sugar
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 3/4 cup water
- 1/2 cup honey
Instructions
- 1
You will need a 23 x 33 cm / 9 x 13" baking pan.
- 2
For best results, thaw phyllo pastry overnight in the fridge (even if the pack says otherwise) then take out of the fridge 30 minutes prior.
- 3
Cut phyllo to the size of the baking pan.
- 4
Keep pastry covered with a damp tea towel at all times.
- 5
Place nuts and cinnamon in a food processor. Pulse 15 times or until fine crumbs - don't let it turn into powder.
- 6
Preheat oven to 160C / 325F.
- 7
Base: Brush base of pan with butter. Lay over one sheet of phyllo. Brush with butter. Repeat to use 10 sheets, brushing every single sheet with butter. Scatter over 3/4 cup walnuts.
- 8
Mid layers: Cover with 5 sheets of phyllo, brushing every sheet with butter. Top with 3/4 cup walnuts. Repeat 3 more times.
- 9
Top: Cover with 10 sheets of phyllo, brushing every sheet with butter, including the final layer.
- 10
Cut the baklava into 4 long strips, then cut on the diagonal to make diamonds. (Note 3)
- 11
Bake for 1 hour - 1 hr 15 minutes until golden brown. Meanwhile, make syrup (needs time to cool)
- 12
Remove from oven and immediately pour over syrup.
- 13
Leave to soak for at least 6 hours, preferably overnight.
- 14
Check to ensure each piece is cut all the way through, then serve. Keeps for a week!
- 15
Place ingredients in a saucepan over medium high heat. Bring to a simmer, stir to dissolve sugar. Lower heat to medium and simmer for 3 minutes, remove from heat and cool.