Homemade Baklava is amazing!
Ingredients
- 4 cups coarsely ground walnuts to begin Homemade Baklava
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 cup butter (unsalted)
- 1 ¼ tsp cinnamon
- 1 lemon (for juice and zest)
- 16 oz phyllo dough
- 1 cup water
Directions
- Combine water, 1 cup sugar and juice from ½ lemon into a saucepan
- Bring mixture to a boil, then immediate turn down to simmer
- Simmer for 5 minutes, then remove from heat to cool down
- This liquid syrup is used at the very end when Baklava is finished baking
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees
- Mix in a bowl ground walnuts, 1 cup sugar, zest of lemon and cinnamon. This is used as Baklava filling
- Melt butter for use in preparing Baklava
- Assembly of Baklava:
- In a 13×9 inch baking pan, brush some melted butter
- Place the first layer of phyllo sheet, then lightly brush butter on top. Continue with same process (phyllo sheet, then melted butter)for a total of 10 phyllo sheets
- Take approximately 1 cup of Baklava filling place on top of phyllo
- Layer 5 more sheets of phyllo like before with butter
- Place on top of phyllo another 1 cup of Baklava filling
- Repeat last 2 steps (step 12 and 13) 4 more times
- Use the last 10 phyllo sheets for the top. Again alternate phyllo sheet, then melted butter.
- Brush melted butter on the top
- Use a sharp straight edge knife to cut Baklava prior to baking. I usually do squares, but you can also do diamond shapes.
- Bake for about 1 hour until golden and flaky
- Remove from oven and pour liquid syrup over the top of the Baklava
- Let the Baklava cool before serving
Are you planning a Greek dinner and want to impress your guests? Well there is nothing like Homemade Baklava to finish off a perfect meal.
Tips & Tricks for perfecting Homemade Baklava
I use a Vitamix to coarse grind the walnuts, you can also hand cut the walnuts
Make sure you make the liquid syrup first and let it cool completely before you pour it over the Baklava
Purchase phyllo dough at your local grocery store in the frozen food section.
Each phyllo package contains approximately 40 paper thin sheets. Unroll prior to using the phyllo dough. Try to keep dough moist when working with it- cover with a damp towel if needed
Each phyllo dough sheet is paper thin and easily rips. However Baklava is forgiving and you can just move around dough as you need to in the baking pan.
Remember when cutting the Baklava prior to baking, you need to cut all the way to the bottom of the baking pan.
This is an easy to make recipe, however it is time consuming and you need to give yourself time for the Baklava assembly.
Background of Homemade Baklava
I have such fond memories of Baklava. It is the perfect dessert to end a traditional Greek meal. This is the kind of dessert that seems so challenging that you would only have it at a Greek restaurant.
However, Homemade Baklava is amazing! The freshness of lemon zest and walnuts can not be duplicated. It takes Baklava to the next level of yummy.
So to make Homemade Baklava all you need to have are the ingredients and a lot of patience. You very carefully assemble all the layers of phyllo and nut filling to make a masterpiece. Take your time layering the dough, no need to rush.
As the Baklava is baking your kitchen smells heavenly. Expect your family to be anxiously awaiting a piece of dessert. This dessert is enough for 12 plus leftovers! So consider making Homemade Baklava for a special event and expect your family and friends to tell others about your wonderful baking skills.
