Baklava, made with layers of flaky phyllo dough stuffed with a sweet nutty filling, is a very traditional Mediterranean dessert.
Recipe type: Cookies, Baklava, and More
Serves: 12 pieces
Ingredients
1 cupwalnuts
[1/2] tsp. ground cinnamon
[1/2] tsp. ground nutmeg
[1/4] cupsugar
[1/4] tsp.salt
25 (8x8-in.) sheetsphyllo dough
[1/2] cup melted butter
1 cupSimple Syrup (recipe in Chapter 22), at room temperature
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350ºF.
In a food processor fitted with a chopping blade, blend walnuts, cinnamon, nutmeg, sugar, and salt for 30 seconds.
In an 8x8-inch pan, begin to layer phyllo dough. Add 10 sheets, buttering each sheet as you lay it in the pan. Then sprinkle phyllo dough with [1/2] of nut mixture. Layer next 5 phyllo sheets, brushing each sheet with butter. Sprinkle rest of nut mixture over top, and add remaining 10 layers of phyllo, again brushing each sheet with butter.
Using a sharp knife, cut baklava into 12 equal pieces. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until phyllo turns golden brown.
Pour Simple Syrup over baklava, and let it soak for at least 2 hours before serving.
Notes
Tasty Tip If you don't like walnuts, you definitely don't have to use them in this recipe. Almonds, pine nuts, pistachios, and even peanuts are all great alternatives in baklava.