Indulge in a taste of the Mediterranean with our delightful Greek Baklava recipe. This traditional dessert boasts layers of flaky phyllo dough, crunchy nuts, and sweet honey syrup that will transport your taste buds to a sun-soaked Greek island. Perfect for impressing guests or treating yourself to a delicious homemade treat, this recipe is simpler to make than you might think. Let’s dive into the steps to create this irresistible dessert that is sure to become a favorite in your repertoire.
Greek Baklava
Ingredients:
– 1 package of frozen phyllo dough, thawed
– 1 cup of unsalted butter, melted
– 2 cups of mixed nuts (such as walnuts, pistachios, and almonds), finely chopped
– 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
– 1 cup of granulated sugar
– 1 cup of water
– 1/2 cup of honey
– 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
– Zest of 1 lemon
Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter.
2. Begin by preparing the nut mixture. In a bowl, combine the finely chopped mixed nuts with the ground cinnamon and set aside.
3. Unroll the thawed phyllo dough and cut it to fit the size of your baking dish.
4. Brush the bottom of the baking dish with melted butter. Place one sheet of phyllo dough at the bottom of the dish and brush it with more melted butter.
5. Continue layering phyllo sheets one at a time, brushing each sheet with butter before adding the next, until you have used about half of the phyllo dough.
6. Sprinkle a generous portion of the nut mixture evenly over the layered phyllo in the dish.
7. Add more layers of phyllo over the nut mixture, again brushing each layer with butter as before.
8. Once you have used up all the phyllo sheets, make sure to brush the top layer with butter to ensure a golden, crispy finish.
9. Using a sharp knife, carefully cut the baklava into diamond or square-shaped pieces before placing it in the preheated oven.
10. Bake the baklava for 45-50 minutes, or until it turns a golden brown color.
11. While the baklava is baking, you can prepare the syrup. In a saucepan, combine the granulated sugar, water, honey, vanilla extract, and lemon zest. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 10 minutes until slightly thickened.
12. Once the baklava is done baking, immediately drizzle the hot syrup over the hot baklava, allowing it to soak and infuse the layers. Let the baklava cool completely in the dish before serving.
This Greek Baklava is a wonderful treat to share with loved ones or enjoy as a special treat for yourself. Its sweet, nutty layers and aromatic syrup make it a perfect dessert for any occasion, from casual gatherings to festive celebrations. So why not try your hand at making this delicious Mediterranean delicacy today and add a touch of Greek charm to your culinary repertoire?
