Indulge in a delightful culinary journey to the heart of Greek dessert tradition with our exquisite Greek Pecan Baklava. This iconic pastry, hailing from the sun-kissed lands of Greece, captivates the senses with its layers of crispy phyllo dough, enveloped in a sweet, nutty filling of chopped pecans and drenched in a luscious honey syrup. Each bite offers a symphony of textures and flavors, from the delicate crunch of the phyllo to the chewy sweetness of the filling and the rich, honeyed finish. Accompanying this classic Greek dessert is a tempting array of additional baklava recipes, each offering a unique twist on this beloved treat. Explore the indulgent chocolate baklava, where layers of phyllo dough embrace a decadent chocolate filling, or savor the aromatic pistachio baklava, brimming with the vibrant flavor of crushed pistachios. For a delightful twist, embark on a culinary adventure with the orange baklava, where citrusy orange zest and syrup infuse every layer with a refreshing and tangy taste. Whichever baklava variation you choose, prepare to be swept away by the harmonious blend of flavors and textures that define this iconic Greek dessert.
Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!
GREEK BAKLAVA
This Greek Baklava recipe has walnuts and cinnamon layered between flaky phyllo dough brushed with melted butter then baked and drizzled with a sugar and honey syrup to create a crispy, sweet, and impressive dessert!
Provided by Amy Nash
Categories Dessert
Time 2h15m
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Thaw phyllo dough completely by placing it in the fridge overnight, then letting the package of phyllo sit, unopened, on the counter for 1 hour prior to making your baklava so it can come all the way to room temperature.
- Butter the bottom and sides of a large rectangular 9x13-inch baking dish. Trim phyllo to fit in the dish, if necessary. I have seen 16 oz. pkgs. of phyllo that come with either 18 large sheets in one roll or 40 smaller sheets in 2 rolls. Either works, so long as you have 16 oz. of phyllo. I just cut the 18 large sheets in half down the middle to fit, giving 36 sheets. The 40 smaller sheets might just need to be trimmed slightly around the edges. Keep trimmed dough covered in a damp cloth so it doesn't dry out.
- Chop walnuts in a food processor by pulsing 10-12 times until coarsely ground or chop with a knife until very finely chopped. Stir together the walnuts and cinnamon until combined.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 213 kcal, Carbohydrate 18 g, Protein 3 g, SaturatedFat 5 g, Cholesterol 17 mg, Sodium 118 mg, Sugar 10 g, Fat 15 g, TransFat 1 g, Fiber 1 g, UnsaturatedFat 9 g, ServingSize 1 serving
HONEY NUT BAKLAVA
With delicate layers of pastry, a slightly crunchy nutty filling and a sweet honey sauce, this is the BEST traditional Baklava recipe!
Provided by Jessica Formicola
Categories Dessert
Time 2h40m
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Thaw phyllo dough by package instructions, you'll need both rolls as most packages have two rolls separately packaged.
- Lightly spray a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray.
- Unfold the sheet to a 20x26 size and cut in half making 2 9(ish)x13 portions. You can trim one stack at a time (or less) then cover with a damp towel to keep from drying out.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 497 kcal, Carbohydrate 41 g, Protein 6 g, Fat 37 g, SaturatedFat 11 g, Cholesterol 38 mg, Sodium 140 mg, Fiber 3 g, Sugar 22 g, ServingSize 1 serving
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
Tips:
- Use fresh ingredients: The fresher the ingredients, the better the baklava will taste. This is especially important for the nuts and honey.
- Don't overmix the dough: Overmixing the dough will make it tough. Mix it just until it comes together.
- Roll out the dough thinly: The thinner the dough, the crispier the baklava will be. Roll it out to about 1/8-inch thick.
- Brush the dough with butter: This will help the dough to brown and crisp in the oven.
- Layer the nuts and honey: Layer the nuts and honey evenly between the layers of dough. This will ensure that each bite of baklava is packed with flavor.
- Bake the baklava until golden brown: Bake the baklava until the top is golden brown and the syrup is bubbling. This will take about 45 minutes.
- Let the baklava cool completely: Before cutting the baklava, let it cool completely. This will help the syrup to set and the baklava to hold its shape.
Conclusion:
Baklava is a delicious and decadent dessert that is perfect for special occasions. It is also surprisingly easy to make at home. With a little planning and effort, you can create a baklava that is just as good as anything you would find in a bakery. So next time you are looking for a special dessert, give baklava a try. You won't be disappointed.
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