Baklava, a luscious dessert with intricate layers of filo pastry, chopped nuts, and a sweet syrup, has captivated taste buds for centuries. Originating in the kitchens of the Ottoman Empire, this delectable treat has become a beloved delicacy across the globe. Its popularity has inspired a diverse range of recipes, each with its unique blend of flavors and textures.
This comprehensive article presents a delightful collection of baklava recipes, catering to various preferences and skill levels. From the classic Turkish Baklava, renowned for its delicate layers and nutty richness, to the indulgent Chocolate Baklava, a delightful fusion of traditional and contemporary flavors, these recipes offer a journey through the world of this iconic dessert.
For those seeking a traditional experience, the Turkish Baklava recipe meticulously guides you through the art of crafting thin, crispy filo pastry, layering it with a mixture of walnuts, pistachios, and sugar, and finishing it with a sweet syrup infused with rosewater and lemon.
If you're drawn to unique flavor combinations, the Chocolate Baklava recipe entices with its rich, decadent filling. Layers of filo pastry embrace a mixture of chopped walnuts, cocoa powder, and a touch of cinnamon, while a chocolate-infused syrup adds an extra layer of indulgence.
For those with a penchant for simplicity, the Easy Baklava recipe offers a streamlined approach to this classic dessert. Using store-bought filo pastry and a simplified syrup, this recipe delivers delicious baklava without compromising on taste or texture.
Finally, the Phyllo Baklava recipe introduces a delightful twist on the traditional baklava. Layers of phyllo dough, a close cousin of filo pastry, encase a mixture of walnuts, sugar, and spices, while a honey-based syrup adds a touch of sweetness.
With this diverse selection of baklava recipes, you'll embark on a culinary adventure, exploring the rich history and captivating flavors of this timeless dessert. Whether you're a seasoned baker or just starting your culinary journey, these recipes will guide you towards creating delectable baklava that will satisfy your sweet cravings and impress your loved ones.
BAKLAVA RECIPE- HOW TO MAKE BAKLAVA
My family's secret baklava recipe combines layers of honey-soaked crisp phyllo pastry and a cinnamon-scented nut mixture with pistachios, walnuts, and hazelnut. Baklava is the perfect make-ahead dessert because it's even better the next day! Be sure to read through for tips and watch the video to make it.
Provided by Suzy Karadsheh
Categories Dessert
Time 1h10m
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Place the sugar and water in a saucepan and heat stove-top, stirring occasionally, until sugar dissolves. Add the honey, orange extract if using, and whole cloves; stir to mix. Bring to a boil, then lower heat and let simmer for about 25 minutes. Remove syrup from heat and let cool to lukewarm. Add lemon juice. Remove the whole cloves.
- In the bowl of a food processor fitted with a blade, add the pistachios, walnut, and hazelnuts. Pulse a few times to chop. Transfer to a large mixing bowl and add sugar, cinnamon, and ground cloves. Mix well to combine.
- Unroll the thawed phyllo pastry and place the sheets in between two clean kitchen towels. This will help keep the phyllo from breaking while you work.
- Prepare a 9"x 13"x 2" baking pan. Brush the interior of the baking pan with some of the melted butter. To assemble the baklava, take one sheet of phyllo and place it in the pan (for this size pan, I typically fold my phyllo sheet in half, and it fits perfectly. You can also do a bit of trimming using a pair of kitchen shears). Brush the top of the phyllo sheet with the melted butter.
- Repeat this process a few more times until you have used up about 1/3 of the phyllo pastry, each layer being brushed with the melted butter.
- Now, distribute about ½ of the nut mixture evenly over the top layer of phyllo.
- Continue assembling the baklava, one sheet of phyllo pastry at a time using another 1/3 of the phyllo. Again, brush each layer with a bit of the melted butter.
- Distribute the remaining ½ of the nut mixture evenly over the top layer of phyllo.
- Finish the remaining 1/3 of the phyllo pastry following the same process, laying one folded sheet at a time and brushing each layer with melted butter. Brush the very top sheet of phyllo with butter.
- Using a sharp knife, cut the pastry into 24 diamond shaped pieces (you can get up to 36 smaller pieces). (Review the tutorial above to see how I cut baklava).
- Place the baking dish on the middle rack of your heated oven. Bake anywhere from 35 to 45 minutes or until the top of the baklava turns golden and a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean. (IMPORTANT...Because ovens vary, be sure to check your baklava half-way through baking).
- As soon as you remove the baklava from the oven, pour the cooled syrup all over the hot baklava.
- Allow baklava to sit for a few hours before serving or for at least 1 hour. Cut through the earlier marked pieces. Serve with a garnish of chopped pistachios, if you like.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 229 calories, Sugar 14.2 g, Sodium 93.6 mg, Fat 14.5 g, SaturatedFat 4.5 g, TransFat 0 g, Carbohydrate 23.7 g, Fiber 1.9 g, Protein 3.4 g, Cholesterol 15.3 mg
GREEK BAKLAVA
A Greek favorite that makes everyone think you are a master chef and is sooo easy to make!! I taught a Greek friend how to make apple pie and she taught me this fabulous recipe. The phyllo dough for this recipe is found in the freezer section of most grocery stores. Add a little lemon zest to the sugar sauce, if desired.
Provided by NEONWILLIE
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Greek
Yield 18
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F(175 degrees C). Butter the bottoms and sides of a 9x13 inch pan.
- Chop nuts and toss with cinnamon. Set aside. Unroll phyllo dough. Cut whole stack in half to fit pan. Cover phyllo with a dampened cloth to keep from drying out as you work. Place two sheets of dough in pan, butter thoroughly. Repeat until you have 8 sheets layered. Sprinkle 2 - 3 tablespoons of nut mixture on top. Top with two sheets of dough, butter, nuts, layering as you go. The top layer should be about 6 - 8 sheets deep.
- Using a sharp knife cut into diamond or square shapes all the way to the bottom of the pan. You may cut into 4 long rows the make diagonal cuts. Bake for about 50 minutes until baklava is golden and crisp.
- Make sauce while baklava is baking. Boil sugar and water until sugar is melted. Add vanilla and honey. Simmer for about 20 minutes.
- Remove baklava from oven and immediately spoon sauce over it. Let cool. Serve in cupcake papers. This freezes well. Leave it uncovered as it gets soggy if it is wrapped up.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 393.1 calories, Carbohydrate 37.5 g, Cholesterol 27.1 mg, Fat 25.9 g, Fiber 3.1 g, Protein 6.1 g, SaturatedFat 9 g, Sodium 196.4 mg, Sugar 19.9 g
BAKLAVA
Many ethnic festivals are held in my city throughout the year. One in May is the Greek Hellenic Festival. My family enjoys baklava-a traditional walnut strudel. The recipe uses phyllo dough, which is not difficult to work with. Just have your ingredients ready to go and follow the directions on the package. The results are scrumptious and well worth the effort. -Judy Losecco, Buffalo, New York
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Desserts
Time 1h10m
Yield 4 dozen.
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- In a small bowl, combine the walnuts, sugar, cinnamon and cloves; set aside. Brush a 15x10x1-in. baking pan with some of the butter. Unroll 1 package phyllo dough; cut stack into a 10-1/2x9-in. rectangle. Repeat with remaining phyllo. Discard scraps., Line bottom of prepared pan with 2 sheets of phyllo dough (sheets will overlap slightly). Brush with butter. Repeat layers 14 times. (Keep dough covered with a damp towel until ready to use to prevent it from drying out.) , Spread with 2 cups walnut mixture. Top with 5 layers of phyllo dough, brushing with butter between each sheet. Spread with remaining walnut mixture. Top with 1 layer of phyllo dough; brush with butter. Repeat 14 times. Cut into 2-1/2-in. squares; cut each square in half diagonally. Brush remaining butter over top. Bake at 350° for 40-45 minutes or until golden brown., In a large saucepan, bring syrup ingredients to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer for 10 minutes. Strain and discard zest; cool to lukewarm. Pour syrup over warm baklava.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 271 calories, Fat 16g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 21mg cholesterol, Sodium 162mg sodium, Carbohydrate 30g carbohydrate (17g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 5g protein.
BAKLAVA RECIPE
This baklava is flaky, crisp, tender and perfectly balanced with the honey-lemon syrup. This homemade baklava is so much better than any store-bought version.
Provided by Natasha of NatashasKitchen.com
Categories Medium/Advanced
Time 2h15m
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Thaw phyllo dough by package instructions (this is best done overnight in the fridge, then place it on the counter for 1 hr before starting your recipe to bring it to room temp).
- Trim phyllo dough to fit your baking dish. My phyllo package had 2 rolls with a total of 40 sheets that measured 9x14 so I had to trim them slightly. You can trim one stack at a time then cover with a damp towel to keep from drying out.
- Butter the bottom and sides of a 13x9 non-stick baking pan.
- In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup sugar, 1/2 cup honey, 2 Tbsp lemon juice, and 3/4 cup water. Bring to a boil over med/high heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved, then reduce heat to med/low and boil additional 4 min without stirring. Remove from heat and let syrup cool while preparing baklava.
- Pulse walnuts 10 times in a food process or until coarsely ground/ finely chopped. In a medium bowl, stir together: 4 cups finely chopped walnuts and 1 tsp cinnamon.
- Place 10 phyllo sheets into baking pan one at a time, brushing each sheet with butter once it's in the pan before adding the next (i.e. place phyllo sheet into pan, brush the top with butter, place next phyllo sheet in pan, butter the top, etc. etc.). Keep remaining phyllo covered with a damp towel at all times. Spread about 1/5 of nut mixture (about 3/4 cup) over phyllo dough.
- Add 5 buttered sheets of phyllo, then another layer of nuts. Repeat x 4. Finish off with 10 layers of buttered phyllo sheets. Brush the very top with butter.
- Cut pastry into 1 1/2" wide strips, then cut diagonally to form diamond shapes. Bake at 325˚F for 1 hour and 15 min or until tops are golden brown.
- Remove from oven and immediately spoon cooled syrup evenly over the hot baklava (you'll hear it sizzle). This will ensure that it stays crisp rather than soggy. Let baklava cool completely, uncovered and at room temp. For best results, let baklava sit 4-6 hours or overnight at room temperature for the syrup to penetrate and soften the layers. Garnish baklava with finely chopped nuts or drizzle with melted chocolate. Store at room temp, covered with a tea towel for 1 to 2 weeks.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 255 kcal, Carbohydrate 21 g, Protein 3 g, Fat 18 g, SaturatedFat 6 g, Cholesterol 20 mg, Sodium 74 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 11 g, ServingSize 1 serving
Tips:
- Use high-quality filo dough for the best results. Freshly made filo dough is ideal, but store-bought works well too.
- Brush each layer of filo dough with melted butter or oil to prevent them from sticking together and to add richness.
- Spread the filling evenly between the layers of filo dough. Don't overload the baklava with filling, or it will be difficult to cut.
- Bake the baklava at a low temperature for a long time. This will help the filo dough to crisp up and the filling to cook through.
- Allow the baklava to cool completely before cutting it. This will help to prevent the baklava from crumbling.
- Store the baklava in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. You can also freeze the baklava for up to 2 months.
Conclusion:
Baklava is a delicious and versatile dessert that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. There are many different recipes for baklava, so you can find one that suits your taste. Whether you prefer a traditional recipe or a more modern twist, there's a baklava recipe out there for you. So next time you're looking for a special dessert to impress your friends and family, give baklava a try.
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