Foto Autor: Dizdarevic E. / Facebook Gruppe: Ramazanski iftari
Baklava is a beloved dessert that hails from the Middle East and Southeast Europe. It’s a rich, sweet pastry made from layers of flaky dough, filled with a combination of nuts, and soaked in a fragrant syrup that adds a perfect balance of sweetness and texture. This dessert has been passed down through generations and is often served during special occasions or celebrations. Here’s how to make this delicious treat at home.
Ingredients:
For the Baklava:
- 500 g Baklava phyllo dough sheets
- 300 g coarsely chopped walnuts
- 200 g coarsely chopped almonds
- 200 g melted butter
- 250 g sugar
- 250 ml water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
For the Sugar Syrup:
- 300 g sugar
- 250 ml water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
Preparation:
1. Prepare the Nuts: Start by roughly chopping the walnuts and almonds. You can do this either by hand or in a food processor, depending on your preferred texture. Set them aside for later use.
2. Melt the Butter: Melt the butter in a saucepan over low heat, then remove it from the heat and set it aside. You’ll use this melted butter to coat the phyllo sheets.
3. Make the Sugar Syrup: In a saucepan, combine 250 ml of water, 250 g of sugar, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and the juice of half a lemon. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat and let it simmer for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, remove it from the heat and allow it to cool to room temperature. This syrup will give your baklava its characteristic sweet flavor.
4. Prepare the Phyllo Dough: If your baklava dough sheets are larger than your baking dish, cut them in half so that they fit comfortably. Brush the bottom of your baking dish with a bit of melted butter, and then layer the first half of the phyllo dough sheets, brushing each sheet with butter as you stack them. This ensures the baklava comes out crispy and golden.
5. Layer the Nuts: After layering half of the phyllo dough, sprinkle 1/3 of the walnut-almond mixture evenly over the dough. Make sure the nut mixture is spread out so that every bite will have a generous amount of nuts.
6. Repeat the Process: Continue layering the phyllo dough sheets, buttering each one as you go, and sprinkling the walnut-almond mixture. Repeat this process two more times so that you have three layers of nuts inside your baklava.
7. Finish the Layers: Finally, cover the baklava with the remaining sheets of phyllo dough. After all the layers are stacked, brush the top layer with the remaining melted butter. Let the baklava rest for a few minutes so the layers settle.
8. Cut the Baklava: Using a sharp knife, cut the baklava into diamond or square-shaped pieces. Be careful not to cut all the way through—just make shallow cuts until the center of the baklava. This step ensures that the syrup will soak into each piece evenly.
9. Bake the Baklava: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Place the prepared baklava in the oven and bake it for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the layers are crisp.
10. Pour the Syrup: Once the baklava is baked and golden, remove it from the oven and immediately pour the cooled sugar syrup over it. The syrup will soak into the layers, making the baklava sweet and sticky. Allow the baklava to cool completely so the syrup can fully absorb.
11. Serve and Enjoy: Once cooled, cut the baklava along the pre-cut lines. The sweet, nutty layers and the delicious syrup will melt in your mouth. Serve your homemade baklava at room temperature, and enjoy the rich, satisfying flavor of this traditional Middle Eastern dessert.
Tips:
- Baklava can be stored for several days at room temperature, and the flavors only get better as it sits.
- If you prefer a different type of nut, you can substitute the walnuts and almonds with pistachios or hazelnuts.
- To make the baklava even richer, you can drizzle some melted chocolate over the top once it has cooled.
Baklava is a dessert that brings joy to every occasion. Whether you serve it at a festive gathering or enjoy it with your afternoon tea, it will surely be a hit with everyone. The combination of crispy, buttery layers, crunchy nuts, and sweet syrup makes it a truly irresistible treat!
