How to Make the Perfect Baklava
Middle Eastern · Easy · 75 min · 24 servings
Baklava is an exotic kid friendly pastry made with crispy phyllo layers and sweet honey that kids find wonderfully fun to eat. The sticky sweet layers of nuts and honey syrup make this a treat kids will talk about for days.
Why this recipe works
This Baklava recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 75 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 220 calories with 3g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 7 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 16 sheets phyllo pastry thawed
- 0.75 cup unsalted butter melted
- 2 cups finely chopped walnuts
- 0.5 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 cup honey
- 0.5 cup water
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Nut Filling
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Combine finely chopped walnuts, granulated sugar, and cinnamon in a bowl and mix well. Grease a 9 by 13 inch baking pan with butter. Keep phyllo covered with a damp towel while you work.
Step 2: Layer the Phyllo
Place one sheet of phyllo in the pan and brush generously with melted butter. Repeat with 7 more sheets brushing butter between each layer. Spread half the nut mixture evenly over the phyllo. Add 4 more buttered phyllo sheets, the remaining nut filling, then finish with 4 more buttered phyllo sheets on top.
Step 3: Cut and Bake
Using a sharp knife cut the baklava into diamond or square shapes all the way through before baking. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes until deep golden brown and crispy. While it bakes combine honey and water in a saucepan and simmer for 5 minutes.
Step 4: Add Syrup and Cool
Remove baklava from oven and immediately pour the warm honey syrup evenly over the entire pan. You will hear a satisfying sizzle. Allow to cool completely at room temperature for at least 2 hours before serving so the syrup absorbs into every layer.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- walnuts → pistachios or almonds for a different nut flavor kids might prefer
- honey → maple syrup for a slightly different but equally sweet and kid friendly syrup
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Pouring cold syrup over hot baklava or hot syrup over cold baklava which prevents proper absorption
- Not cutting the baklava before baking making it shatter into pieces when you try to cut it after
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 220 calories, 3g protein, 26g carbs, 13g fat, 1g fiber.
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