Heavenly Baklava Recipe

Baklava, with its origins deeply rooted in the rich tapestry of Middle Eastern cuisine, is a dessert fit for royalty. Its delicate layers of crisp pastry, generously filled with a blend of nuts and sweetened with fragrant honey syrup, evoke memories of ancient traditions and celebrations. Prepare to embark on a culinary journey that will captivate your taste buds and leave you craving for more.

Directions:

Ingredients:

• 1 package (16 oz) phyllo dough, thawed
• 1 1/2 cups mixed nuts (such as walnuts, pistachios, and almonds), finely chopped
• 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Baklava Layers:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
• In a bowl, combine the finely chopped nuts with cinnamon and set aside.

1. Layer the Phyllo Dough:

• Unroll the phyllo dough and cover it with a damp towel to prevent drying out.
• Carefully place one sheet of phyllo dough into the prepared baking dish and brush it with melted butter. Repeat this process, layering 8 sheets of phyllo dough, brushing each layer with butter.

1. Add the Nut Mixture:

• Sprinkle a generous layer of the nut mixture evenly over the buttered phyllo dough.

1. Continue Layering:

• Add 4 more layers of phyllo dough, brushing each layer with butter, and sprinkling the nut mixture over every other layer.

1. Finish with Phyllo Layers:

• Layer the remaining phyllo dough on top, ensuring to butter each layer as before.

1. Cut and Bake:

• Using a sharp knife, carefully cut the Baklava into diamond or square shapes.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp.

1. Prepare the Honey Syrup:

• In a saucepan, combine sugar, water, honey, and vanilla extract. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes until slightly thickened.

1. Drizzle with Syrup:

• Once the Baklava is out of the oven, immediately pour the hot honey syrup over it, ensuring it seeps into all the cuts.

1. Let it Cool:

• Allow the Baklava to cool completely in the pan before serving, allowing the syrup to soak in and the pastry to crisp up.

1. Serve and Enjoy:
   • Garnish with additional chopped nuts if desired, and revel in the luscious flavors of this decadent dessert.

Cook’s Note: If phyllo dough is unavailable, you can use puff pastry sheets as an alternative for a similar texture.

Nutritional Information (per serving):

• Calories: 280 kcal
• Total Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 7g
• Cholesterol: 25mg
• Sodium: 100mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 28g
• Dietary Fiber: 2g
• Sugars: 18g
• Protein: 4g